Mystery vine

[Delmar]

I live in northern Indiana, this vine is growing on the north side of my house. It has attached its self to my screened in porch with fine root like growths. It has 5 leaves with a 6th smaller leaf

at the base of the 5 leaf cluster; when it first comes out in the spring the leaves have a redish hue before turning green. What is it and is it harmful in any way. The pictures were taken after I pulled it down off my house.

 

[Tmheldt78]

That looks like what I've always called Virginia Creeper... especially if the leaves started out red in the spring.
If it is, it's a very aggressive grower and hard to eradicate. I believe the sap can cause itching/rashes with some people, (not as bad as poison ivy though) and the berries it produces are toxic.

 

[Tetters]

Hi Delmar, your plant is one of my favourites. It is Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and it`s common name is indeed Virginia creeper. It is easy to care for and self supporting as you have obviously noticed. It is wonderful for it`s display of colour at the end of the summer, and is not difficult to keep pruned, away from woodwork and gutters.

I have never found the sap of this plant to cause any problems, and have handled it in the propagating shed a lot without wearing gloves. There is a slower growing form called Henryi which has slightly smaller silver veined leaves.

 

[Beth_B]

Virginia creeper. Very fast growing! I had it all over the side of my house and had to murder it. Was not easy, either. And it grows along my front fence, I prune it back frequently to keep it contained, otherwise it strangles everything else.

Never have had any adverse effects from handling it, personally.

 

[roadrunner]

Yeap, Virginia Creeper, which provides a valuable food source to wildlife.