Today, the first day in October. And here, Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a gorgeous red in early autumn.

Those red leaves as well as the berries should not be eaten, at least by humans. The berries are quite popular with birds during the winter, but they and the leaves contain teeny tiny, needle shaped calcium oxalate crystals. Those crystals can cause irritation, and sometimes blisters to the tongue, mouth, and throat of us humans.

So, enjoy the beauty, but don’t get wild and crazy and eat any.

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