Parthenocissus sp.
Virginia creeper, Virginia Creeper
(c) Blondinrikard Fröberg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Vitaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Parthenocissus sp. (Virginia creeper) is a native California shrub in the Vitaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Hedera: Parthenocissus has compound leaves with separate leaflets; Hedera (ivy) has simple lobed leaves that aren't divided into leaflets.; vs Vitis: Parthenocissus has separate leaflets radiating from center; Vitis has single leaves with deep lobes but still one piece.; vs Toxicodendron: Parthenocissus has 5 leaflets from one point; Toxicodendron (poison oak) has 3 leaflets arranged feather-like along stem.; vs Acer: Parthenocissus is a vine with separate leaflets; Acer (maple) is a tree/shrub with single palmately lobed leaves.; vs Aesculus: Parthenocissus is a climbing vine; Aesculus (buckeye) is an upright tree/shrub that doesn't climb with tendrils.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parthenocissus sp. native to California?
Yes. Parthenocissus sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Parthenocissus sp. belong to?
Parthenocissus sp. is in the Vitaceae family, genus Parthenocissus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.