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Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau

Trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderLamialesAromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
FamilyBignoniaceaeAfter the Abbe Jean Paul Bignon (1662-1743)
GenusCampsisGreek for “curved” referring to curved stamens
SpeciesradicansWith rooting stems

About plant names...

Trumpet creeper, so named for its trumpet-like flowers and creeping habit, is native to (or naturalized in) eastern North America, as well as parts of Europe and a few locations in Latin America. It prefers swamps, riverbanks, forests, and thickets. Trumpet creeper is popular with gardeners, and with ruby-throated humming­birds.

Plants: Sprawling woody vines form a thick tangle on the ground, or work their way up fences and other supports via aerial rootlets, sometimes reaching 40' (12 m) in height. It spreads by suckering as well as seeding, and is considered invasive in some habitats, notably the southeastern US.

Leaves: Compound, odd pinnate, up to 15" (38 cm) long. Each leaf is shiny and dark above, and dull bluish-green below, comprised of 7 to 10 oblong or elliptic leaflets. Leaflets are 1½-2½" (4-7 cm) long, with serrate edges.

Flowers: Dense clusters of orange-red flowers are trumpet-shaped. Each flower is up to 3" (7.6 cm) long and about 1" (2.5 cm) around. Flowers appear in July.

Fruits: Seed pods resemble pea pods. Each pod is 4-8" (10-20 cm) long, and has two ridges running lengthwise. Seeds are ⅜-¾" (1-2 cm) long, and linear.

Medical: Leaves produce redness and itching in some, but this appears to be rare.

Online References:

The Missouri Botanical Garden

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Wikipedia

The University of Florida IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/20/2013 · Near North Middlesex High School, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 10 × 7" (25 × 16 cm)

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/24/2010 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

Bignonia radicans L.

Tecoma radicans (L.) Juss.

 

Campsis radicans description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 29 Sep 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


  

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/20/2013 · Near North Middlesex High School, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 21 cm)

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/20/2013 · Near North Middlesex High School, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 10" (16 × 25 cm)

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/20/2013 · Near North Middlesex High School, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 11 × 7" (28 × 18 cm)

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/13/2005 · Memphis, Ten­nes­see · By Tim Chandler

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper, cow itch vine, hummingbird vine)

7/20/2013 · Near North Middlesex High School, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 16 cm)

Range: Zones 4-9:

About this map...