Parthenocissus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parthenocissus
Parthenocissus quinquefolia foliage and fruit
Parthenocissus quinquefolia foliage and fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Parthenocissus
Planch.

Parthenocissus (creepers) is a genus of climbing plants from the grape family, Vitaceae. It contains about 10 species, from Asia and North America. 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[1] or the English name "Virginia creeper".[2]

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

Species

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fralish, James S.; Franklin, Scott B. (2002). Taxonomy and Ecology of Woody Plants in North American Forests. John Wiley and Sons, 167. Retrieved on 2008-03-09. 
  2. ^ Hammer, Roger L. (2004). Florida Keys Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Wildflowers, Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of the Florida Keys. Globe Pequot, 133. Retrieved on 2008-03-09. 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: