THE COCCOLOBA CHAPTER OF THE FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
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Virginia creeper  
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Picture
The life cycle of the Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is perennial.  This species is a member of the Vitacceae (Grape) family. Quinquefolia is a  climbing woody vine that can reach 40’ in height.  Vines have tendrils with adhesive sucker disks to fasten to leaves. Leaves are compound with five elliptic shape leaflets with a pointed tip.  Rarely, there are three or seven leaflets. Margins are toothed. Venation is palmate. Leaflet size 3” to 6” long and 3” to 6” wide.

Flowers grow in clusters. The flower’s corolla has five drooping petals that are a brownish color. From the center of the corolla are five stamens with yellow anthers. Projecting from the corolla’s center is a reddish ovary bearing pistil above the petals. Therefore, ovaries are superior. Inflorescence is panicle. Flower about 1/8” in diameter. Fruit are berries ¼” in diameter. Blooming occurs in spring.


​Quinquefolia 
is distributed in almost every county in the state. Habitat is any tree growing in a hammock. It is also distributed in every State in the U.S. Quinquefolia is the only species in the Genus Parthenocissus. The specimen in the photo was taken on a tree on my street.

by Jim Rodwell
The Florida Native Plant Society promotes the preservation, conservation and restoration of native plants and native plant communities of Florida.
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Copyright 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
  • Home
  • Why Natives?
    • Why Natives?
    • EXAMPLES
  • Projects
    • Estero River Oaks Preserve
  • What We Do
    • What We Do
    • Meetings
  • Volunteer Info
    • Projects
    • FGCU Service Learning Hours
    • Calendar
  • Education and Resources
    • Native Plant Resources
    • Native Plants for your area
    • FLEPPC Invasive Exotic List
    • Native Host Plants for Butterflies
    • Native Palms
    • Native Wildflowers for Birds
    • Native Plants for Birds
    • Plant Communities of South Florida's Gulf Coast Barrier Islands
    • Documents
  • Newsletter
  • Our Founder