:: Virginia Creeper ::
The Virginia creeper is a native to eastern North America.
In our neck of the woods it wraps itself round trees and utility poles.
It looks like any other vine during the rest of the year but the fall is when it's leaves turn bright red.
History fact ~
Virginia Creeper was used as a nickname for trains that ran from the early 1900's to 1977 between Abingdon, Virginia and Elkland, North Carolina. The trains were used to transport lumber.
The plant grew in abundance along the line and the locals referred to the train as the 'Virginia Creeper' for the way in which it climbed slowly through the Iron Mountains.
Today it is a 34.4 mile rail to recreation trail, the Virginia Creepers Trail.