January 4, 2026

The red stuff in this tree is Virginia Creeper
It is a vine in the same family as grapes

Birds love it's fruit, but it's toxic to humans - 

Don't try it, not even one taste!

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=paqu2

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

February 2, 2024

This plant is knows as Virginia Creeper

It uses tendrils to climb bark and rocks

It contains raphides with can irritate human skin

And don't eat the berries, lest you end up at the Doc's.

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=paqu2\

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 13, 2023

This plant's known as Virgina Creeper

Throughout Florida's where it can be found

It climbs on trees, trellises and buildings,

Its name is not as lascivious as it sounds.

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/parthenocissus-quinquefolia

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 14, 2021

On the RIGHT here is Poison Ivy

With it's shiny green leaves of three

On the LEFT is similar looking Virginia Creeper, 

Which is beneficial and has 5 leaves.

My sincerest apologies - as anyone who knows me will tell you - although I know my plants, I do NOT know left from right and I had this poem backwards! It is corrected now. 

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: http://identifythatplant.com/poison-ivy-looks-similar-to-virginia-creeper/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 22, 2019

Location: Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Red-eyed Vireos really love this plant
Known as Virginia Creeper
Woodpeckers, Thrushes, Squirrels and Deer
All agree that this plant's a "keeper"

Sources: UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation 4-H Forest Resources - Virginia Creeper

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 4, 2018

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

This is Virginia Creeper
It looks a little like Poison Ivy.
But it's a great plant for birds, but not humans,
And it's leaves are in groups of fivey.

Ok, I know that's a terrible rhyme,
This is a great plant on cold winter days,
It's fruit's known to attract many species of birds,
Such as Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Jays.

Sources: 10 Plants for a Bird-Friendly Yard

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson