virginia creeper

Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquifolia
Family: Vitaceae (Grape)
Branching: Alternate

This is a common vine in Ontario, that climbs with "sticky" discs on the tendrils, similar to Poison-ivy (and like Poison-ivy is also found trailing on the ground). Despite the superficial differences, the two are easily distinguished in the winter. Virginia Creeper has large, circular and sunken leaf scars (similar to Catalpa and Trumpet-creeper, though both of those are opposite or whorled) and its buds have scales, unlike Poison-ivy's naked buds. Also, Poison-ivy's tendrils are much thinner, and threadlike. Thicket Creeper (P. inserta) is similar, but lacks the "sticky" discs on the tendrils. These pictures were taken in early spring and the buds are larger than they would normally be.

Winter twig of Virginia Creeper. Notice the sunken, circular leaf scar

Another view of the winter twig. These pictures were taken in early spring and the buds are larger than they would normally be.

The "sticky" tendrils that Virginia Creeper uses to climb.

A closer look of the tendrils

Virginia Creeper, with the tendrils wrapping around the vine itself