Taxonomy
Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Virginia-creeper
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
First reported in the wild
1981
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Ornamental purpose
Invasive score
16
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Vigorous deciduous vine; woody climber with a light brown stem up to 20m long; palmate leaves divided into 5 leaflets, dull green and hairy on underside; tendrils with adhesive tips for climbing; difficult to identify in winter (Booy et al., 2015). Can be confused with a number of different native and non-native species including P. inserta (nn), P. tricuspidata (nn), Hedera helix (ivy native) and various Clematis spp (both nn & native) (Booy et al., 2015).
Ecology
May overgrow and compete with native plants. Host to a plant pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa, in its native range (Hopkins & Alderz, 1988). Due to rarity in Britain (Preston et al., 2004) and Ireland (Reynolds, 2002) there are no documented studies of its impact outside its native range.
Habitat
Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats; Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural or domestic habitat; Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats
Pathway and vector description
Widely sold as a garden plant along with P. inserta and P. tricuspidata, for which it can be confused.
Mechanism of impact
Competition
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Grown in gardens from where it may spread it is most common in hedgerows and waste ground (Reynolds, 2002).
Species group
Plant
Native region
North America
Similar species
P. tricuspidata, P. inserta
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Occasional - Rare, mainly found in the south of the country though this may be an artefact of recording effort.
Native distribution
Native of North America (Preston et al., 2004).
Temporal change
Date of first record category
1981-1990
Fifty year date category
1951-2000
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre..
References
Publications
Hopkins, D. L., & Adlerz, W. C. (1988). Natural hosts of Xylella fastidiosa in Florida. Plant Disease, 72(5), 429-431. Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin. Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. A. & Dines, T. D. (2002). New atlas of the British and Irish flora. An atlas of the vascular plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, Oxford University Press. Stace, C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Booy, O., Wade, M. & Roy, H. (2015) A Field Guide to Invasive Plants & Animals in Britain. Bloomsbury.