148 VITACE^. Ampelopsis. 



2. AMPELOPSIS. Michx. fl. 1. p. 159; Torr. 4- Gr. fl. N. Am. 1. p. 245. 



VIRGINIAN CREEPER. 



[Named from the Greek, ampelos, vine, and opsis, resemblance.] 



Calyx entire. Petals 5, distinct, spreading. Disk without a ring. Ovary conical, not im- 

 mersed in the disk : style very short, conical : stigma small, simple. Berry rather dry. — 

 A shrubby vine. Leaves digitately 5-foliolate. Flowers perfect, in spreading corymbose 

 panicles. 



1. Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Michx. Virginian Creeper. American Ivy. 



Michx. fl.l.p.l59; Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. 1. p. 114 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 1. p. 245. 

 A. hederacea, DC. prodr. 1. p. 633 ; Beck, hot. p. 65 ; Darlingt. fl. Cest. p. 153. Vitis 

 quinquefolia. Lam. V. hederacea, Willd. sp. 1. p. 1182. Hedera quinquefolia, Linn. 

 Cissus hederacea, Pers. syn. 1. p. 143 ; Pursh,fl. \.p. 170 ; Ell. sk. 1. p. 305 ; Torr.fl. 1. 

 p. 266. 



Stem climbing trees and other objects ; spreading extensively, and adhering by little disks 

 or expansions of the extremities of the tendrils. Leaves smooth : leaflets oblong, acuminate, 

 petiolulate, coarsely serrate : petioles as long or longer than the leaflets. Panicle compound, 

 with 2 or 3 principal divisions ; the pedicels somewhat umbellate. Flowers greenish-yellow, 

 only a few opening at a time. Calyx distinct, spreading, the margin very entire or shghtly 

 crenate. Petals at first cohering, at length distinct and reflexed. Anthers large, oblong. 

 Ovary 5-angled, and somewhat lobed at the base. Berry about the size of a small pea, of a 

 dark blue color when ripe ; the peduncles and pedicels bright crimson. Seeds large for the 

 size of the berry, commonly 2 in each cell, but sometimes only one. 



Borders of woods, copses, etc.; common. Fl. July. Fr. October. A favorite vine about 

 houses, being of rapid growth, and presenting a beautiful and striking appearance in the 

 autumn from its crimson foliage. It is difficult to dry specimens of the plant, without their 

 falling to pieces at the articulations. 



