Parthenocissus

views updated

Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper; family Vitaceae) A genus of deciduous climbing shrubs that cling by means of branched tendrils with sucker-like tips. They have palmately compound leaves. The tiny flowers have 5 petals and grow in clusters. There are 10 species, of which P. tricuspidata from the Far East and P. quinquefolia from N. America are grown as ornamentals for their attractive red autumn foliage.