Characteristics
The flowers are small and greenish, produced in clusters in late spring, and mature in late summer or early fall into small hard purplish-black berries 5 to 7 mm diameter. These berries contain oxalic acid, which is moderately toxic to humans and other mammals. The berries provide an important winter food source for birds.
The leaf structure of Virginia creeper is superficially similar to that of Cannabis sativa, with the effect that persons familiar with only the plants' leaf structures and not with their stem structures (which are markedly different) often mistake Virginia creeper for "ditch weed" (wild marijuana).
It is commonly misidentified as toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy) due to its similar ability to climb upon structures. Similar to poison ivy, Virginia creeper can cause skin irritations or painful rashes in some individuals.
Read more about this topic: Parthenocissus Quinquefolia