1. Trumpet creeper - Campsis radicans Campsis radicans
11/22/2018
Trumpet Creeper
Campsis radicans
Averett
11/22/2018
Averett

2. Classification Domain Eukarya Kingdom Plantae Phylum Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Scrophulariales
Family Bignoniaceae (big-no-nih-AY-see-ee)
Genus Campsis
Specific epithet radicans
Averett
11/22/2018

3. Names Campsis radicans (KAMP – sis) (RAD – ee – kans) Common names:
Trumpet creeper
Trumpet vine
Trumpet flower
Cow Itch
Synonym:
Tecoma radicans
Bignonia radicans
Averett
11/22/2018

4. Habit and habitat Deciduous woody vine which grows up to 30 feet tall.
Uses aerial roots and twining stems to climb.
Without anything to climb, it will take the form of a small shrub.
Found in thickets, woods, fields, but is most often seen at forest edges or stream banks, along fence lines and areas of disturbance.
Aggressive grower – may become weedy in some regions or habitats.
Averett
11/22/2018

5. Leaves Opposite Pinnately compound Coarsely toothed
Composed of 7, 9, or 11 leaflets.
Leaflets are somewhat shiny and dark green, margins coarsely teethed.
Each leaflet is one to three inches long.
Round leaf scars (this is rare).
Averett
11/22/2018

6. Flowers Yellow-orange to red on the outside, yellow inside.
Tubular shaped.
Up to 8 cm long and 4 cm wide at the mouth.
3 inches
Born in clusters of 2 to 12 flowers
Blooms from June to September (video)
Last several days during which time is produces copious amounts of nectar.
Averett
11/22/2018

7. Fruits Flat, tapered capsule, 8-13 cm long Three to six inches long.
Pod resembles southern catalpa tree (Catalpa bignonioides) because in same family.
Each capsule is packed with many flat, paper-thin seeds that are bi-winged (convergent to samaras)
The light weight seeds are designed to travel by wind
Averett
11/22/2018

8. Stems Light tan bark that appears flaky (peeling) on mature stems.
The main stem can grow about seven inches wide and up to 12m long
Pith spongy
Round leaf scar with U-shaped bundle scars on the stem
This vine uses aerial rootlets (tiny roots which grab onto structures) and twining stems to climb upwards.
Averett
11/22/2018

9. Distribution
Native to eastern, north-central, and south central portions of the Unites States, including Kentucky.
Has become naturalized in New England
Averett
11/22/2018

10. Ecology Provides valuable cover for birds and small mammals.
The flower’s large quantities of nectar is a major food source of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Bumblebees.
Trumpet creeper depends on these animals to pollinate flowers. Each time a hummingbird visits a flower, it gets pollen on its head, which it delivers to the next flower.
Averett
11/22/2018

11. Interdependence
Trumpet creeper and ruby-throated hummingbirds are inter-dependent species (video)
May be the ruby-throated hummingbird’s single most important nectar source
The long straight bird bill and the tubular blossom show co-evolution.
Common to see a bird plunging so deeply into the bloom that its entire head disappears
Bird usually hovers but may get a toe-grip on lower flower petal and hold on for several seconds
Bird’s head is positioned perfectly with the stamens and carpels, which lie against the top of the flower tube just inside the lip. When a hummingbird feeds on trumpet creeper nectar, it accumulates pollen deposits that can be dense enough to turn the bird’s crown yellow or white.
Averett
11/22/2018

12. Because of the length of its flower tube, trumpet creeper nectar is not easily accessible to the proboscis of a moth or butterfly, but bumblebees are able to crawl deep into the flower and, like hummingbirds, facilitate pollination.
Averett
11/22/2018

13. Warnings Slightly toxic if ingested.
Causes dermatitis in cattle (and some people).
Contact with the leaves and flowers may result in skin redness and swelling among mammals.
Sometimes called “Cow Itch” because contact with leave can cause a rash in some animals, especially cows.
Averett
11/22/2018

14. Distinguishing Characteristics
Liana
Round leaf scars with U-shaped bundle scars on the stem
Aerial stems
Opposite, pinnately compound leaves that are coarsely toothed (only liana with both of these!)
Large trumpet-shaped flowers
Light tan bark that appears flaky on mature stems
Averett
11/22/2018

15. The uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun that follows a capitalized genus name in binomial nomenclature and serves to distinguish a species from others in the same genus, as saccharum in Acer saccharum (sugar maple). Also called trivial name.
Averett
11/22/2018