Chinese Creeper

Biological Name:

Chinese-Creeper: Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Natural Habitat:

Chinese-Creeper: This plant may be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and waste spaces, in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Description:

Chinese creeper is a annual vine that is native to Asia. It typically grows to a length of 10-15 feet and has oval-shaped leaves that are arranged in a spiral pattern. The plant produces small white or yellow flowers in the summer and fall.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Virginia creeper poisonous to touch?
A: Although Virginia creeper leaves does not contain urushiol, the irritating oil found on all parts of poison ivy. Hedera, commonly called ivy (plural ivies), is a genus of 12-15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to western, central and southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan. The sap can irritate highly sensitive people. The berries are poisonous, as they contain a high concentration of oxalic acid, which is moderately toxic to humans and dogs.
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Q: Should I pull up Virginia creeper?
A: Virginia creeper control begins by pulling the vine from the structures or vegetation that it is clinging onto. The sap in the plant can cause irritation to the skin, so it is recommended that you wear gloves. Young vines can be pulled by hand while larger vines require the use of a handsaw or other pruning tools.
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Q: Will Virginia creeper damage my house?
A: You should think twice where to plant Virginia creeper. It could damage your wall by reason of the adhesive disks.
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Q: Will Virginia creeper give you a rash?
A: Although it is not as allergenic as poison ivy, raphides, the sap of Virginia creeper, can cause skin irritation and blisters in sensitive people when it punctures the skin.
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Q: Is Virginia creeper the same as poison ivy?
A: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) The best method of telling apart Virginia creeper and poison ivy is the number of leaves. Poison ivy has three, while Virginia creeper typically has five. While young Virginia creeper can have three leaves, it also has smooth vines, not hairy.
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Q: Is the plant Virginia creeper poisonous to dogs?
A: The Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which cause intense pain and irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal system when chewed or swallowed. Protect yourself and your pet.
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Q: Does Virginia creeper climb walls?
A: Virginia creeper and Boston ivy both like full sun but can also tolerate shade. These self-clinging climbers have disc-like suckers. To prevent them from leaving sucker marks on the wall, train them up a wire. Controlled growth requires pruning three to four times a year, says Scott.
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Q: What is Virginia creeper good for?
A: Native American Uses: An infusion made from Virginia Creeper was used to treat jaundice. Also, a compound decoction of twigs was used as a wash to counteract poison sumac. The plant was also used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea, swelling, lockjaw, as well as a urinary aid.
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Q: Where is the best place to plant a Virginia creeper?
A: Grow Virginia creeper in moist but well drained soil in sun to shade. Offer support in the form of canes or a small piece of trellis in the first two years, until it develops suckers and becomes self-clinging.
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Q: How do you stop Virginia creeper from spreading?
A: When established, Virginia creeper will most often not be controlled with a single herbicide application, and multiple applications will be necessary to achieve acceptable control. Only nonselective postemergence herbicide (glyphosate) must be used to suppress or control this weed.
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Q: Is Virginia creeper vs poison ivy?
A: The best method of telling apart Virginia creeper and poison ivy is the number of leaves. Poison ivy has three, while Virginia creeper typically has five. While young Virginia creeper can have three leaves, it also has smooth vines, not hairy. If you can’t see the vine, avoid the plant!
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Q: Why is it called Virginia creeper?
A: The nickname Virginia Creeper came from the early steam locomotives as they slowly struggled up the mountains. Depression, the Creeper ran its last train on March 31, 1977. Thanks to the Virginia Creeper Trail Club for printing this publication.
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Q: Is Virginia creeper hard to get rid of?
A: As a perennial weed, Virginia creeper will be tough to control as it can easily regrow after foliar injury from its extensive underground root system.
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Q: Do Virginia creepers make you itch?
A: And contact with Virginia creeper is unlikely to leave you with the severe, itchy rash associated with poison ivy. But the leaves of Virginia creeper do contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) that occasionally cause skin irritation after prolonged handling of the plant.
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Q: Can Virginia creeper make you sick?
A: Although they are pretty, Virginia creeper and wisteria can be harmful if they are chewed or swallowed. Both plants can cause mouth pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and should not be eaten.
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Q: Is Virginia creeper medicinal?
A: Virginia Creeper plant tea for jaundice, root tea for gonorrhea and diarrhea, and leaf tea to wash swellings and as an astringent and diuretic. Current knowledge about the plant: The leaves are toxic and the berries are also thought to be toxic.
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Q: Why does Virginia creeper cause a rash?
A: And contact with Virginia creeper is unlikely to leave you with the severe, itchy rash associated with poison ivy. But the leaves of Virginia creeper do contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) that occasionally cause skin irritation after prolonged handling of the plant.
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Q: Why do people plant Virginia creeper?
A: Virginia creeper is used as a ground cover to prevent erosion. It contributes to the beautiful fall colors. The bark, leaves and roots have been used in medicines.
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Q: Is everyone allergic to Virginia creeper?
A: Only rarely does contact with Virginia creeper leaves or stems cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. The plant is generally considered harmless, although the fruit can be harmful if eaten.
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Q: How poisonous is Virginia creeper to dogs?
A: The Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which cause intense pain and irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal system when chewed or swallowed. Protect yourself and your pet.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.