Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario Weeds: Virginia creeper

Table of Contents

1. Name
2. Other Names
3. Family
4. General Description
   • Photos and Pictures
5. Similar Species
6. Caution
7. Related Links

Name: Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus spp.,

Other Names: vigne vierge, parthénocisse

Family: Cashew Family (Anacardiaceae)

General Description: A climbing vine with compound leaves, occasionally has some leaves with only 3 leaflets, but usually there are 5, and its fruits are soft and bluish.

Photos and Pictures

Similar Species: Manitoba maple, Acer negundo L., [ACRNE, érable négondo, érable à Giguère, érable du Manitoba] may have 3 leaflets instead of the usual 5, but its compound leaves are arranged in opposite pairs (2 per node) on the stems and the seeds are long and winged. Hog-peanut, Amphicarpa bracteata (L.) Fern., [APPBR, amphicarpe bractéolée, amphicarpe monoïque], normally has 3 leaflets like Poison-ivy, but it is a twining herbaceous vine (not woody), its purplish to whitish flowers are pea-like and larger than those of Poison-ivy, and each of the 3 leaflets in 1 compound leaf of Hog-peanut has 3 strong veins (the midrib plus 1 big vein on each side) joining the leaflet stalk, whereas Poison-ivy has only 1, the midrib.

Caution: Although this plant is not poisonous to touch, as is Poison-ivy, its blue grape-like berries are poisonous if eaten.

Related Links

... on general Weed topics
... on weed identification, order OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
... on weed control, order OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control

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