Trending: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) — 2505 observations this week
iNaturalist Community
Citizen Science
Virginia creeper is climbing the fence in your backyard right now — and knowing it from poison ivy (which it's often mistaken for) could save you a miserable rash this spring.
Virginia creeper is a native vine that turns brilliant red in fall and grows almost everywhere in the eastern US. This week, thousands of people spotted and photographed it through the iNaturalist app, making it one of the top-observed plants. All those sightings help scientists track where plants are growing and how their timing shifts from year to year.
Key Findings
2,505 research-grade observations were recorded this week, ranking Virginia creeper among the most observed plant species on the platform
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a native North American vine found across the eastern US, Canada, and into Mexico
The observation spike aligns with early May phenology — a period of active leaf-out when the vine becomes highly visible and identifiable
chevron_right Technical Summary
Virginia creeper logged 2,505 research-grade observations on iNaturalist this week, making it one of the most-watched plants in the citizen science community. The surge likely reflects seasonal leaf emergence and the vine's widespread presence across eastern North America.
Abstract Preview
Virginia creeper is among the most observed plant species this week with 2505 research-grade observations.
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Species Mentioned
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Parthenocissus quinquefolia, commonly known as Virginia creeper, woodbine, five-leaved ivy, or five-finger, is a species of flowering vine in the grape family Vitaceae.