Virginia Creeper

A common woody vine, the Virginia Creeper is often found growing up tree trunks. The Virginia Creeper is often found beside or near posion ivy as well. It has a dark brown, thick, interlacing bark and thick, matted rootlets setting it apart from posion ivy which has thin bark and sprawling rootlets. This vine is rather large, climbing up to the highest treetops. The largest vines can have a diameter of 4 to 5 inches and with have no vines leaves along the main stem. The leaves of the Virginia Creeper are compound, explain compound, with 5 dark green, toothed leaflets. In the fall, these leaves turn a deep burgundy color. Dangling clusters of tiny, greenish yellow flowers appear from May to July after the fully developed leaves. With fruits that ripen in the fall, the Virginia Creeper produces dangling clusters of blue berries that hang from red stalks.