Tag: Virginia Creeper

Five Red Leaves

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) a vine in the grape family (Vitaceae). Native to eastern and central North America. A plant that knows its own mind. One that will wander into areas where you might not want it to grow. Keep an eye on it if you have it in your garden. And beware some (but not all) individuals, after prolonged work with Virginia Creeper can get an itchy or painful rash.

A vine that for me predicts the start of the autumn season. The leaves turn a brilliant crimson, well before some of the other leaves in the forest even think of turning to their fall colors. Saying, “Let the party begin!”

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Meteorological Autumn

It started just over a week ago, and some leaves are playing their part perfectly. Meteorological autumn has begun. Temperatures are cooling. Days, little by little, are getting shorter.

Trees of the forest pick up on these signals. They know it’s time to get ready for the cold that will descend upon them. Prepare for winter. Stop producing that green chlorophyll, and let the leaves become brilliant red, yellow and many shades of orange.

These leaves, of Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), have picked up on the signals quickly.

Independent Leaflets

As days get shorter some leaves take that as a signal and stop making chlorophyl. That chlorophyll is what gives the leaves their green color, and what is left in those leaves will break down. The green fades and disappears. Yellow, orange, and red colors left in the leaves and now uncovered, become visible.

This is a leaf of Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) with its five leaflets, which seem to be showing their independence, doing their own thing, and creating a fun look of red and green.

Even now, autumn is creeping up on us.

And Now Autumn

Gone are the days of carefree summer.

Oh but the things to come. Color. The color of Virginia Creeper with it’s crimson leaves.

Brilliant color. All the leaves that had been cool greens now becoming warm colors. Rich colors become ubiquitous. Red Maples turning red or orange or yellow.

Another Red Maple. This one scarlet with yellow as an accent.

PawPaw becoming chartreuse.

Sassafras uncertain if it should turn yellow or orange. But either one, rich warm color.

American Chestnut, yellow and rust.

All these colors. An invitation to enjoy the colors while they’re here.

Autumn

Creeping slowly. Beautiful warm colors. Trees preparing their shut down for winter. In just a few days it will become official. That calendar on the fridge will tell us so. Autumn will be here. As a tiny hint of what’s to come, this Virginia Creeper’s (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) compound leaf with each of its five leaflets has fallen from its vine after growing into its proper fall hue. The change will be dazzling.