Virginia Creeper

(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

The palmate compound leaves (consisting of 5 leaflets) are quite distinctive, which makes Virginia Creeper easy to identify in the field. Virginia creeper blooms in the spring; the flowers are small, greenish white and grow in clusters. Fruit follows in summer into fall, first a pale color but turning blue to near black when ripe. The fruit is a delight for birds and other animals but is toxic and potentially deadly for humans. The palmate divided leaflets turn a beautiful scarlet color in fall. 

Information Provided by the Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve
No Reproduction Without Written Permission
www.friendsofbarefootbeach.org