Virginia creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Bot.)

Virginian creeper, Woodbine, five-finger-ivy (Eng.)

Vigne vierge (French)

Wilder Wein, Jungfernrebe (German)

Itaceae - vine family



A walk in the Ardennes, I look at some of the cuttings as wild vine included. One has taken in our garden for several years and is now growing along the back wall of the house between the old, large-leaved vine, but in a different way. It attaches with suction cups are not on the wall or wooden frames. The vine grew wild in the Ardennes with long thin branches without suckers on a group of bushes. It was autumn, so the leaves were bright red. He has other branches of plants needed for support. The leaves are small and colored rather than grown, Japanese vine.

flowers



Different kinds

There are 15 known species of grapevines. They grow in the temperate zones of East Asia and North America. In Europe, we are mainly two types:

1. Parthenocissus quinquefolia, which is native in forests and on rocks in North America from Quebec to Florida and Mexico. It is one lush plant with winding vines can climb 20 m or more.

2. Parthenocissus tricuspidata, common in Japan and Korea on rocks and in forests to a height of 1200 m. It attaches with suction cups solid round.

The wild vine was in 1622 from North America to Europe. Since then, varieties are grown: with larger and serrated leaf margins, variegated species (green-yellow spotted), species earlier in the autumn colors or later and that all suction cups to attach to walls or fences.

But the real wild leaved vine found in forests and shrubs as ground cover or climbing through trees and bushes.

Naming

The botanical name derives from the Greek word which means a virgin and parthenos Kissos = ivy. Quinquefolia means five leaves. The Dutch word is a shortening of vine vineyard. This refers to the relationship with the vine.



Plant Characteristics

Parthenocissus quinquefolia has five-fingered, three-fingered leaves Parthenocissus tricuspidata. During the summer between the leaves appear yellow-green flower heads that provide nectar for bees, bumblebees and other insects. This develop large peas, blue-black berries, which are a delicacy for birds (especially blackbirds, magpies and pigeons). For people, these inedible berries, slightly toxic (especially for children).

The leaves in autumn colors bright red, yellow and orange.

Virginia creeper in the





Pitch

The vine grows in shady and sunny spots. In sunny areas, the fall color intensification. As the soil, he is not much demand. It grows everywhere.