Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Notes

Virginia creeper was thought to be poison oak among the children of my neighborhood when I was a child. I think because it looked a little like poison ivy, it was assumed to be related. Or who knows, but is not poisonous to touch, doesn’t cause a rash.

Poison ivy has three somewhat glossy leaflets, but Virginia creeper has five dull leaflets–well most of the time, though occasionally a leaflet or two might be missing.

The berries which go from green to purple-black by late season are poisonous to consume, but birds eat them.

Virginia creeper has beautiful fall color in shades of red and purple.