VINE FAMILY. 



VITACEtE. 



Virginia Creeper. " Ampelopsis qtdnquefoUa. 



American Ivy. 



Found on rich ground, in woods and wayside thickets, blossom- 

 ing in July. 



This is a high-climbing vine, with tough, woody-fibred stems, 

 covei'ed with a rough reddish-gray bark. 



The large leaf is compound, with the 5 leaflets starting from the 

 same point ; the leaflet is taper-pointed, notched on the edge, smooth, 

 shining, of a thin texture, and dark green color. The leaves, alternate in 

 growth, are set on foot-stems 2 or 3 inches long. 



The flowers are' small, and inconspicuous, with their parts in fives 

 and of a yellowish-green color ; they grow in irregularly branching 

 clusters from the angles of the leaves. 



The round blue-black berries, on thick red stems, ripen in 

 October. The leaves turn a vivid scarlet, which flames out among the 

 autumn colors. The vine climbs by the aid of tendrils which termi- 

 nate in flat sucker-like discs. It is easily transplanted and often seen 

 around dwellings. 



