Virginia creeper

American  

noun

1. a climbing plant, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, of the grape family, native to North America, having palmate leaves, usually with five leaflets, and bluish-black berries.

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Virginia creeper British  

noun

1. Also called (US): American ivy.   woodbine.  a vitaceous woody vine, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, of North America, having tendrils with adhesive tips, bluish-black berry-like fruits, and compound leaves that turn red in autumn: widely planted for ornament

2. US name: Boston ivy.  Also called: Japanese ivy.  a similar related plant, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, of SE Asia, having trilobed leaves and purple berries

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Etymology

Origin of Virginia creeper

An Americanism dating back to 1660–70

Example Sentences

Native to North America, they also eat small berries from our native plants such as Virginia creeper.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2023

Grapevines are in the family vitaceae; relatives are Boston ivy and Virginia creeper.

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2017

Farther down the parkway, in Floyd County, he took visitors into the woods to an African-American cemetery that has been completely overtaken by tulip poplars, poison ivy and Virginia creeper.

From Washington Times • Jul. 19, 2014

We drove to the south farm, where Ziska pointed again to poison ivy, Japanese honeysuckle and Virginia creeper smothering a fence.

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2010

Limefield House was the color of warm honey, and half of its front was covered in Virginia creeper.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman