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| ## trumpet creeper {#trumpet-creeper .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Campsis radicans* (L.) Seem. ex Bureau                               |
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| Plant Symbol = CARA2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2597222222222224in"
height="1.551388888888889in"}

##### Warning: Contact with the leaves and flowers of trumpet creeper results in skin redness and swelling among mammals. It is also slightly toxic if ingested. {#warning-contact-with-the-leaves-and-flowers-of-trumpet-creeper-results-in-skin-redness-and-swelling-among-mammals.-it-is-also-slightly-toxic-if-ingested. .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

*Bignonia radicans,* cow-itch, *Gelseminum radicans, Tecoma radicans,
Tecoma speciosa,* trumpet flower, trumpet vine*.*

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

##### *Ornamental:* The showy flowers of trumpet creeper make this plant appropriate for some gardening and landscaping needs. It is often used as a cover for fences, arbors, walls, pillars or large trellises and as a groundcover. The cigar-like fruit may be considered decorative during winter.  {#ornamental-the-showy-flowers-of-trumpet-creeper-make-this-plant-appropriate-for-some-gardening-and-landscaping-needs.-it-is-often-used-as-a-cover-for-fences-arbors-walls-pillars-or-large-trellises-and-as-a-groundcover.-the-cigar-like-fruit-may-be-considered-decorative-during-winter. .Header-3}

*Wildlife:* The tubular flowers and large quantities of nectar produced
by trumpet creeper are attractants for

hummingbirds and butterflies. The vines also provide habitat to ants.

##### Legal Status {#legal-status .Header-3}

Trumpet creeper is an invasive weed. Please consult the PLANTS Web site
(http://plants.usda.gov) and your State Department of Natural Resources
for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species,
state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Bignonia Family (Bignoniaceae). Trumpet creeper is a
deciduous or partly evergreen vine that climbs by aerial rootlets and
twining stems. This is a U.S. native. Stems can grow up to 12 m long and
have numerous aerial rootlets. Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound
and coarsely toothed, composed of 7, 9, or 11 leaflets. Leaflets are
somewhat shiny and dark green. Flowers are yellow-orange to red,
tubular, and up to 8 cm long and 4 cm wide at the mouth. Flowers are
born in clusters of four to a dozen and bloom from July through August.
The fruit is a flat, tapered capsule, 8-13 cm long with seeds that are
flat and winged.

Distinguishing characters of trumpet creeper include its U-shaped bundle
scars on the stem, abundant root-like aerial stems, opposite compound
leaves that are coarsely toothed, large trumpet-shaped flowers, and its
light tan bark that appears flaky on mature stems.

*Distribution*: Trumpet creeper is native to eastern, north-central, and
south-central portions of the United States and has become naturalized
in New England. Its natural range occurs from New Jersey to Ontario and
Iowa, and south to Florida and Texas. For current distribution, please
consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: Trumpet creeper is found in thickets, dry woods, waste
grounds, railroads, disturbed sites, clearings, and along roadsides and
fencerows.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

The USDA hardiness zones for trumpet creeper are 4-10. It grows in wet
to dry soils and sand, loam, or clay soil types with a pH range of 3.7
to 6.8. Trumpet creeper prefers full sun for best flowering.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

If not controlled, rampant growth will become a problem. Vines should be
thinned throughout the growing season and cut back in winter to prevent
aggressive spread.

**Pests and Potential Problems**

Planthoppers may occasionally feed on trumpet vine but generally do not
cause serious damage. Leaf spots caused by various fungi may be seen but
are not serious. Mildew causes a white powdery growth on the leaves.

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

##### Trumpet creeper is typically propagated by cuttings. It readily roots and develops new suckers that allow the species to grow rapidly. {#trumpet-creeper-is-typically-propagated-by-cuttings.-it-readily-roots-and-develops-new-suckers-that-allow-the-species-to-grow-rapidly. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Seeds are prepared for germination by stratifying them in moist sand for 60 days at 4^o^C and 30% relative humidity. Fungicide should be added to the sand to prevent mildew formation. For spring outplanting, seeds are sown in early fall. Sixty percent germination will occur within two weeks of removal from stratification conditions. There is no special treatment required for establishment other than monitoring for water needs. {#seeds-are-prepared-for-germination-by-stratifying-them-in-moist-sand-for-60-days-at-4oc-and-30-relative-humidity.-fungicide-should-be-added-to-the-sand-to-prevent-mildew-formation.-for-spring-outplanting-seeds-are-sown-in-early-fall.-sixty-percent-germination-will-occur-within-two-weeks-of-removal-from-stratification-conditions.-there-is-no-special-treatment-required-for-establishment-other-than-monitoring-for-water-needs. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### During the active growth phase, plants will need to be cutback to encourage root growth and prevent the tangling of foliage. Seedlings will need to harden in winter-like temperatures before outplanting. {#during-the-active-growth-phase-plants-will-need-to-be-cutback-to-encourage-root-growth-and-prevent-the-tangling-of-foliage.-seedlings-will-need-to-harden-in-winter-like-temperatures-before-outplanting. .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

The NRCS Plant Materials Program has not released any cultivars of
trumpet creeper for conservation use. Contact your local Natural
Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service)
office for more information. Look in the phone book under "United States
Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed
under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

Ornamental cultivars of trumpet creeper include 'Atropurpurea,' 'Crimson
Trumpet,' 'Flamenco,' 'Flava,' 'Madame Galen,' 'Minor,' 'Praecox,'
'Speciosa,' and 'Variegata.' These cultivars have been bred for flower
and foliage color and for rapid growth.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely.

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### References {#references .Header-3}

##### Brand, M. 2001. *University of Connecticut plants database*, (http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/index.html, 30 April 2004). University of Connecticut, Storrs. {#brand-m.-2001.-university-of-connecticut-plants-database-httpwww.hort.uconn.eduplantsindex.html-30-april-2004.-university-of-connecticut-storrs. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### Davis, K.M. and J.L. Kujawski. 2001. *Propagation protocol for vegetative production of container [Campsis radicans]{.underline} plants.* (http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org, 3 May 2004). University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Forest Research Nursery, Moscow.  {#davis-k.m.-and-j.l.-kujawski.-2001.-propagation-protocol-for-vegetative-production-of-container-campsis-radicans-plants.-httpwww.nativeplantnetwork.org-3-may-2004.-university-of-idaho-college-of-natural-resources-forest-research-nursery-moscow. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Gilman, E.F. 1999. *Campsis radicans.* Fact Sheet FPS-99. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Gainsville. {#gilman-e.f.-1999.-campsis-radicans.-fact-sheet-fps-99.-florida-cooperative-extension-service-institute-of-food-and-agricultural-science-university-of-florida-gainsville. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Michigan State University Extension. 2004. *Ornamental plants plus,* version 3.0 (http://www.msue.msu.edu/imp/modzz/masterzz. html, 30 April 2004). Michigan State University, East Lansing. {#michigan-state-university-extension.-2004.-ornamental-plants-plus-version-3.0-httpwww.msue.msu.eduimpmodzzmasterzz.-html-30-april-2004.-michigan-state-university-east-lansing. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. 2004 *Consumer horticulture* (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/, 30 April 2004). North Carolina State University, Raleigh.  {#north-carolina-cooperative-extension-service.-2004-consumer-horticulture-httpwww.ces.ncsu.edudeptshortconsumer-30-april-2004.-north-carolina-state-university-raleigh. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Stevenson, R. 1998. *Conservation New England* (http://site.www.umb.edu/conne/index.html, 30 April 2004). University of Massachusetts, Boston. {#stevenson-r.-1998.-conservation-new-england-httpsite.www.umb.educonneindex.html-30-april-2004.-university-of-massachusetts-boston. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. 2004. *VCE resources* (http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets/vines/trmptcr.html, 30 April 2004). Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. {#virginia-cooperative-extension-service.-2004.-vce-resources-httpwww.ext.vt.edudepartmentsenvirohortfactsheetsvinestrmptcr.html-30-april-2004.-virginia-tech-blacksburg. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-10 .Header-3}

##### Wunderlin, R.P., and B.F. Hansen. 2003. *Atlas of Florida vascular plants* (http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu, 30 April 2004). Institute of Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. {#wunderlin-r.p.-and-b.f.-hansen.-2003.-atlas-of-florida-vascular-plants-httpwww.plantatlas.usf.edu-30-april-2004.-institute-of-systematic-botany-university-of-south-florida-tampa. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-11 .Header-3}

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

##### *Sarah Wennerberg* {#sarah-wennerberg .Header-3}

Formerly USDA NRCS, National Plant Data Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Mark Skinner*

##### USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana {#usda-nrcs-national-plant-data-center-baton-rouge-louisiana .Header-3}

##### Edited: 10May2004 sbw; 21Oct2004 rln; 01jun06 jsp {#edited-10may2004-sbw-21oct2004-rln-01jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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