This year, the prevalence of Virginia Creeper feels particularly pronounced, raising the need for public awareness about its hidden dangers for Vermont families and their unsuspecting dogs.
As autumn’s palette explodes across Vermont, a familiar vine is flourishing with unusual vigor this year: the Virginia Creeper. This native plant, typically found climbing fences, trees, and buildings, seems to be everywhere, painting landscapes with its striking red foliage. While its rapid spread adds to the beauty of the season, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) advises that it carries a silent, significant threat. The Virginia Creeper is poisonous to both humans and pets, and alarmingly, our canine companions, like most bad things, don’t instinctively know to steer clear of it.
This year, the prevalence of Virginia Creeper feels particularly pronounced, raising the need for public awareness about its hidden dangers for Vermont families and their unsuspecting dogs.
Virginia Creeper: A Rapidly Spreading Fixture of the Vermont Landscape
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a hardy, woody vine deeply integrated into Vermont’s ecosystems. You’ll spot it ascending nearly any available surface – from rock walls to mature trees – using specialized adhesive disks on its tendrils. Part of the grape family, it’s often admired for its ornamental value, especially as its leaves turn a brilliant crimson in the fall. Beyond aesthetics, it provides food and cover for local birds and insects. This year, however, its vigorous growth appears to be reaching new heights, making it an even more noticeable and, unfortunately, pervasive presence.
Identifying the Green (and Red) Danger
According to information provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, knowing how to identify Virginia Creeper is your first line of defense against its hazards.
- Five Leaflets: The most critical identification feature is its five leaflets that radiate from a central stem. This is how you distinguish it from its notorious “leaves of three” cousin, poison ivy.
- Berries: In late summer and throughout the fall, look for small, dark blue to black berries growing in loose clusters. These berries might resemble wild grapes, but they are absolutely not safe to eat.
- Autumn Color: The vine’s vivid, bright red fall color makes it stand out dramatically against other foliage, serving as a clear visual cue later in the season.
Health risks
All parts of this plant (berries, stem, leaves flowers etc…) contain oxalate crystals, which can be harmful if swallowed or rubbed against. Children are especially at risk because the berries are small and attractive. The plant’s tissues and sap can cause contact dermatitis (skin irritation and blisters) in sensitive people since the microscopic oxalate crystals can be sharp and irritating.
Symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mouth or throat irritation
- Contact dermatitis
In rare cases, large amounts may lead to more serious symptoms and require immediate medical attention. The plant’s tissues and sap can cause contact dermatitis (skin irritation and blisters) in sensitive people since the microscopic oxalate crystals can be sharp and irritating.
Prevention
- Teach children not to eat wild berries without adult permission.
- Monitor pets around berry-producing plants.
- Know how to tell Virginia creeper apart from similar species like wild grape.
- Wear protective clothing when handling Virginia creeper.
What to do If someone, including your dog, eats Virginia creeper berries:
- Do not wait for symptoms. Call the Northern New England Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
- If the person is having a serious reaction (difficulty breathing, unconsciousness), call 9-1-1.
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