Are Virginia creeper leaves toxic?

Question

I used them in my cold water salt brined pickles for crispness, thinking that they were grape leaves. 🙁

Answer 1

It depends on which reference you read, but they all cite a certain level of toxicity so I would not consume any of the pickles just to be on the safe side. One of the references - ncsu - cited severe toxicity, even fatal. It's always best not to consume any wild vegetation unless you are absolutely certain you know what it is. There are many look alikes and so many plants are toxic.

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/parthenocissus-quinquefolia/

https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/141

https://wimastergardener.org/article/virginia-creeper-parthenocissus-quinquefolia/