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Cressler, Alan Cressler, Alan

Bignonia capreolata

Bignonia capreolata L.

Crossvine

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.

Plant Characteristics Duration: Perennial

Habit: Vine

Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Leaf Arrangement: Opposite

Leaf Complexity: Pinnate

Leaf Texture: Waxy

Fruit Type: Legume

Size Notes: Can climb to 36-50 feet.

Leaf: Leaves

Flower: Flowers 2 inches long.

Fruit: Brown 4 to 8 inch pods

Size Class: 36-72 ft.

WaxyCan climb to 36-50 feet.Leaves compound, bifoliolate. Dark green, with purplish venation and stems in winter.Flowers 2 inches long.Brown 4 to 8 inch pods36-72 ft.

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:

Native Habitat: Forested floodplains and uplands, hammocks, fencerows, limestone escarpments

FL to e. TX, n. to MD, WV, & the Ohio R. valley, Zones 6 to 9Forested 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

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers. An early

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Interesting Foliage: yes

Attracts: Hummingbirds

Nectar Source: yes

Deer Resistant: No

An evergreen vine with glossy leaves and showy, two-tone, trumpet flowers.Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers. An early nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer browse it in winter.yesyesHummingbirdsyesNo

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.

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