Virginia Creeper
or
Woodbine
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper is a fast growing, high climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils whose tips expand disclike cementing themselves to surfaces. The deciduous leaves are palmately compound with (typically) five leaflets radiating outward from a central petiole (leaf stem) like spokes on a wheel. Each leaflet is about 3-7 in (7.6-17.8 cm) long and 1-2 in (2.5-5.1 cm) wide. The leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy. The individual flowers are small and inconspicuous and arranged in elaborate long-stemmed clusters with each flower at the tip of its own peduncle (flower stem); such an inflorescence is called a cyme. The whole inflorescence is about 4-6 in (10.2-15.2 cm) across. The berries are blue black, less than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) across and much relished as a food source for birds and other wildlife.