Although the climb vine Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) , sometimes predict Parthenocissus quinquefolia , contains toxic substances , the rigorousness of the chemical substance in the plant has not been determined . * * Pending further investigating , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that gardeners be made aware of Virginia creeper ’s toxic potential . * *
Description
Virginia creeper is a deciduous , woody vine that is native to big areas of easterly North America , grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zone 3 through 9 . Its vine have tendril with adhesive discs at the end , enabling it to mount from 30 to 50 feet on stone , brick or wood walls .
The works is commonly used as a ground masking to control corroding on slopes . It is also farm to enshroud rock candy piles , stumps and other eyesores and to cover mandril , fences , trellises and wall .
Leaves typically cover clustering of small , green - bloodless Virginia crawler peak that seem in spring . The flowers by and by yield small pitch-dark or black dispirited berry . * * While birds are attract to the berries , they may be dangerous if a baby consumes them in amount . * *
The leaves of Virginia seem superficially like those of the highly toxic toxicant common ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans , USDA zona 4 through 10 ) . Poison Hedera helix grows leaves in groups of three . Virginia creeper grows leaves in grouping of three . The Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center at the University of Texas quotes a child ’s rime to serve mark the two : " leaf of three , allow it be ; leaves of five , have it fly high . "
Virginia creeper leaves also appear like those of American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius , USDA zones 4 through 8) . The leafage of both works have five brochure , three large and two modest , unite at one point . The critical difference is that ginseng ’s three large pamphlet are joined to the fundamental point by small stems called petiolule . The tooth on the border of Virginia crawler are larger than the small , fine teeth on the boundary of the Panax pseudoginseng leaves . Neither the leaves nor other division of American ginseng are considered toxic .
Evidence of Toxicity
- The FDA cites a written report that a child in Oregon became violently ill and died after eating a large amount of Virginia creeper berries . * * The Charles Edward Berry were tell to be the probable cause of death . The FDA abduce another report that children who had been jaw on Virginia Creeper leaves , begin vomiting then collapsed into a two - hour shock .
Virginia tree creeper contains calcium oxalate , unremarkably telephone oxalic acid , in the form of irritating , needle - similar crystal called raphides . The leaves and Chuck Berry of Virginia creeper contain high measure of raphides which can irritate the pelt of some multitude .
Two ounces of oxalic acid is enough to kill a human . Whether or not Virginia crawler hold oxalic dose in a innocent or pure state has not been determined .
Caution
- If you exhibit a cutis rash , overturned tummy , vertigo or other symptoms of poisoning after contacting or eating parts of Virginia creeper , call your physician immediately or meet the 24/7 National Poison Control Center hotline at 1 - 800 - 222 - 1222 . * * A hotline operator will transfer your call to the toxicant control middle nearest to you .
Invasive Potential
- As with all climbing vine , Virginia crawler is potentially incursive . * * Once established , it is hard to control , climbing onto , up or over everything it encounters including bush and Tree . It slowly down plant by smothering them and depriving them of sunshine .
Virginia creeper is difficult to get rid of once it becomes establish on a wall and and must be pruned regularly to foreclose it from spreading out of control .
