Woodbine Announces Coming of Fall

 

               Photo by Steve Apps

 Walking near my pond in summer, I see various vines crawling up the trunks of the many trees that grow there.  Wild grape vines are the most prominent.  They are everywhere, sometimes growing to the very tops of trees.  I often overlook another vine that competes with the grapes.  I seldom notice it until mid-September.  It’s called woodbine, and it is the first to announce the coming of fall as it turns a brilliant red.

Woodbine should not be confused with poison ivy.  Poison ivy has three leaflets in a cluster. Woodbine has five.  Woodbine is a native plant found across North America and southern Canada. It is not found in southeastern United States.  Woodbine is widely distributed in Wisconsin, preferring wet soil, but it can also be found along fence rows, and even sometimes found in old farm fields with heavier soils.  Woodbine will tolerate shady places, but for it to develop its brilliant fall color, the vine needs full sun. The color of woodbine, in fall, goes from shiny green to yellow, orange and then brilliant red.

 Historically, woodbine leaves have been used to treat skin sores, cuts, and itching.  Some people have also used the leaves to treat fever and kidney disease.  One source of information stated “Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness” of woodbine for these maladies.  I take from this—best to enjoy what the woodbine does well—announce the coming of fall with its brilliant display of red leaves.

 As the beauty of fall spreads across Wisconsin from north to south, as the maples turn red and yellow, and later come the browns and tans of the oaks, we remember that it was the woodbine that was in the lead for this colorful annual display of nature's beauty.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:  The woodbine reminds us that fall is here.

 

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS:

My newest novel is Settlers Valley.  You can buy it at your local bookstore, order online from bookshop.org, or purchase from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.  and look at their great selection of my books, including my new ones, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414. They will be happy to help you.