See also Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper). Most fruiting native vines of this genus in the region are actually
P. vitacea, although both species occur together.
Native
Other names: Parthenocissus inserta, False Virginia Creeper, Thicket Creeper
 |
| [8] |
 |
| [8] |
 |
| [4] |
 |
| [4] |
 |
| [1] |
Notes:
The fruiting stem of
P. vitacea continuously branches in two, and this species routinely sets fruit.
P. quinequefolia (Virginia Creeper) does not set much fruit, and its
fruiting stem will have a central axis with shorter stems with fruit
branching off.
When not in fruit, these two species can be distinguished by 1)
P. quinquefolia is pubescent on the underside of the leaf, while
P. vitacea is glabrous, and 2) the tendrils of
P. quinquefolia end in discs, enabling the vine to cling to flat surfaces, while
P. vitacea can only climb by winding its tendrils on objects.
Seeds of the two species are probably not distinguishable.
Fruit ripening dates: July through October
Seed dispersal dates: August through February (although eagerly consumed and few tend to remain)
Seeds present in bird fecal samples at the
Rouge River Bird Observatory, Dearborn, MI.
References:
(Numbers in photo captions are photo credits, listed in the "Photo Credits" tab at the top of the page)
