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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine)
Cressler, Alan

Bignonia capreolata

Bignonia capreolata L.

Crossvine

Bignoniaceae (Trumpet-Creeper Family)

Synonym(s): Anisostichus capreolata, Anisostichus crucigera

USDA Symbol: bica

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A climbing, woody vine reaching 50 ft. long with showy, orange-red, trumpet-shaped flowers 2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches across which hang in clusters of two to five. They are sometimes seen high in a tree, as the vine climbs by means of tendrils. Holdfasts (adhesive pads) at the end of its tendrils allow crossvine to cling to stone, bricks and fences without support. Leaves are opposite and bifoliolate -- actually trifoliate, but one leaflet being modified into a branched tendril. Leaflets are 4-6 inches long by 1-1/2 inches wide. Persistent, glossy, semi-evergreen leaves change from dark green in summer to reddish-purple in winter.

 

From the Image Gallery

91 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Leaf Texture: Waxy
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Can climb to 36-50 feet.
Leaf: Leaves compound, bifoliolate. Dark green, with purplish venation and stems in winter.
Flower: Flowers 2 inches long.
Fruit: Brown, flat pod-like capsules, 4 to 8 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Bloom can be brick red with yellow throats, yellow with brick red throats, some other combination of those two colors, or completely brick red.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to MD, WV, & the Ohio R. valley, Zones 6 to 9
Native Habitat: Forested floodplains and uplands, hammocks, fencerows, limestone escarpments

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, acidic or calcareous soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Some shade is tolerated, but the best flowering is achieved in full sun. Tolerates brief flooding.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: An evergreen vine with glossy leaves and showy, two-tone, trumpet flowers.
Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers. An early nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer browse it in winter.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: No

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Cuttings , Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Seed Collection: Collect the large, woody capsules from late summer through fall when they are light brown and beginning to dry. Seeds remain viable one year in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Seed requires no pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Training to avoid crowding of stems will aid in the formation of flower shoots. Branches can be cut back in the spring to encourage flowering.

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Perennial vine for full sun, Denton, TX
March 19, 2010
I would like to grow a perennial vine that would tolerate full sun during the day. A flowering or non-flowering is fine. I do NOT want anything that is poisonous, i.e. Carolina jasmine, since this w...
view the full question and answer

Vines for shade in North-Central Georgia
August 07, 2009
I am looking for something to hide a 6' wood fence that will grow in almost full shade. I have an area approx 2 feet wide to plant in. Since the fence and planting areas are stepped -- about 8 feet f...
view the full question and answer

Plants for green roof in Mexico
August 06, 2008
Hello! I am checking local plants to plant on a Green Roof, and am researching on which are mostly to survive better. Is it possible to plant the following on a green roof?? (Root depth needed, basica...
view the full question and answer

Toxicity and invasiveness of Scarlet Wisteria
May 04, 2007
I recently purchased seeds for Scarlet Wisteria (Chinese rattlebox tree). I spoke to a neighbor about this and she warned me not to plant them as they were poisonous to hummingbirds. Can you clarify...
view the full question and answer

Locating yellow crossvine
April 20, 2006
I am attempting to find a yellow crossvine. I am not having much luck. I thought I saw some growing in the Taylor area, but I cannot locate it now. In my memory, the flowers had brown dots on them.
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FAC FAC FACW
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
Georgia Native Plant Society - Atlanta, GA
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Bignonia capreolata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Bignonia capreolata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Bignonia capreolata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2020-04-10
Research By: TWC Staff, RLU

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