Parthenocissus quinquefolia #1 (Virginia Creeper)

Virginia Creeper, also known as Woodbine, is an extraordinarily useful and beautiful vine. It is a vigorous grower, able to reach heights of 50′ or more in deciduous trees. The 5-parted, palmate, deep green leaves crawl up surfaces or scramble around on the ground, making it a useful groundcover for dry shade. In fall, all of the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, crimson and maroon, a quintessential display of the season. It is tough and adaptable to all but the wettest soils, with good tolerance to salinity and juglone toxin.

Many people confuse young Virginia Creeper leaves with Poison Ivy because they may only have 3 parts before they are fully developed. To avoid this, look at many more sets of leaves to count how many parts there are – Poison Ivy only has three, never five. Virginia Creeper vines are also smooth, not hairy like Poison Ivy vines. Together, these identifying characteristics can save innocent and beneficial Virginia Creeper from being eradicated.

The berries of Virginia Creeper feed at least 39 species of birds, including woodpeckers, tufted titmouse, eastern bluebird, American robin, northern mockingbird, brown thrasher, black-capped chickadee, flicker and thrush. It is the host plant for the fascinating Pandora Sphinx and the Virginia Creeper Sphinx. When berry clusters fall from the vine, they are consumed by foxes and skunks. This vine is endlessly useful to wildlife and always beautiful to look at.

Sources:
Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines by William Cullina
The Midwestern Native Garden by Charlotte Adelman & Bernard L. Schwartz
Gardening for the Birds by George Adams
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
Grow Native! Salt-Tolerant Native Plants