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I have ordered a climbing plant "Boston Ivy - Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii'" from an online nursery in the UK. However, the nursery sent me a similar looking, but very different species "Virginia Creeper - PARTHENOCISSUS ENGELMANNII". The nursery sells both plants online, and the pictures online are listed against the correct plant. I complained and send pictures of what I received, and I immediately received an apologies about the confusion, and a promise to correct the order. To my surprise I received another pair of Virginia Creeper again! I complained again with more pictures, only to be told that what I have received is indeed "Boston Ivy"!

I have tried to explain to the nursery the difference between the two and that clearly what I received is not Boston Ivy but Virginia Creeper. I explained that Boston Ivy leaf has this distinct three sides Boston Ivy and that the Virginia Creeper has the cluster of leafs Virginia Creeper has the cluster of leafs

Is there an authority on plant naming that can confirm the distinction between the two plants? They nursery themselves do believe their identification is absolutely correct and I am not sure what is the best way to challenge them in the absence of a real plant identification authority.

Meitham
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2 Answers2

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This is where the full Latin name for a plant is essential; Boston Ivy is just a common name, and any horticultural person at a garden supplier would not persistently describe a plant that way IF the customer uses the Latin name. Parthenocissus tricuspidata is the one you want; what they have supplied appears to be Parthenocissus quinquefolia (which may or may not be the variety 'Engelmanni'). The second part of the name, 'tricuspidata', refers to the three points on the leaves, that's why its part of the name; 'quinquefolia' means five points, and it's quite apparent there are five points to the leaves on the plant they have sent. I'd suggest you get back on the phone and speak to someone who knows the Latin names, or email them and point out the different names to someone who is qualified, for they should easily recognise that you have been sent the wrong plant. And don't fall into the trap of allowing them to use the common names...quote the full Latin name for each of the plants and explain why they're named that if you have to, since they've not bothered to use the middle part of the name on the plant they supplied.

Bamboo
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If the nursery needs photos to confirm ID, here are two pages from the Missouri Botanical Garden that show that they're wrong:

Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus quinquifolia 'Engelmannii'

Boston Ivy - Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii'

Jurp
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