Parthenocissus ( /ˌpɑrθɨnɵˈsɪsəs/),^[1] creepers, is a genus of climbing plants from the grape family, Vitaceae. It contains about 12 species, from Asia and North America.^[2] Several are grown for ornamental use.

The name is from Greek parthenos, "virgin", and kissos (Latinized as "cissus"), "ivy". The reason is variously given as the ability of these creepers to form seeds without pollination^[3] or the English name "Virginia creeper".

Parthenocissus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Brown-tail and The Gothic.

Species

From Asia

• Three leaved
  • Parthenocissus chinensis
  • Parthenocissus heterophylla, from China and Taiwan
  • Parthenocissus semicordata, from the Himalaya
  • Parthenocissus feddei
• Five leaved
  • Parthenocissus henryana, Chinese Virginia Creeper from China
  • Parthenocissus laetevirens
• One or three leaved
  • Parthenocissus dalzielii, from east and south-east Asia
  • Parthenocissus suberosa
  • Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Japanese Creeper or Boston Ivy, from eastern Asia

From North-America

• Seven or five-leaved
  • Parthenocissus heptaphylla, Sevenleaf Creeper, from Texas and Mexico
  • Parthenocissus vitacea, Thicket Creeper, Woodbine, or Grape Woodbine, from western and northern North America
  • Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper, from eastern North America

References

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