32 Vine ( Vitacece). [No. 5 



Fruit, about the size of peas, dark blue, in loose clusters ; 

 two-celled, each cell with one or two ripened seeds, 

 October. 



Found, wild in low, rich ground, from Florida northward 

 and westward, and everywhere in cultivation. 



A vigorous woody climber, covering trees and walls often 

 to the distance of fifty feet ; very useful in cultivation for 

 screens and trellises ; and very ornamental, especially in 

 the autumn with its brilliant crimson and scarlet and pur- 

 ple foilage. 



For some reason, perhaps because of its climbing habit 

 and its inappropriate popular name of American-Ivy, the 

 Virginia-Creeper is often feared as something poisonous. 

 It climbs a tree trunk somewhat as does the Poison Ivy 

 (Rhus radicans, L.), but it is easily distinguishable and is 

 entirely harmless. One should remember that the Virginia- 

 Creeper has five finger-like leaflets that are suggestive of 

 the fact that one's own five fingers can safely handle it ; 

 while the Poison-Ivy has but three. 



" In the course of about two days after a tendril [of 

 woodbine] has arranged its branches so as to press on any 

 surface, the curved tips swell, become bright red, and 

 form on the under sides the well known little disks or 

 cushions with which they adhere firmly. . . . Since 

 they adhere to smooth surfaces, . . . this alone 

 renders it probable that some cement is secreted, . . . 

 the quantity however must be small. ... It must not 

 be supposed that the attachment is effected exclusively by 

 the cement, for the cellular outgrowth completely envelops 

 every minute and irregular projection and insinuates itself 

 into every crevice." DARWIN. 



