Virginia Tech Dendrology

trumpet creeper Bignoniaceae Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau symbol: CARA2
Leaf: Opposite, pinnately compound, 5 to 13 inches long, 7 to 11 coarsely serrated leaflets, individual leaflets 1 to 3 inches long, shiny dark green above.
Flower: Very attractive, 2 to 3 inch long tubular, orange to red flowers, in clusters, appearing in late summer.
Fruit: Dry pod 3 to 6 inches long, 1 inch wide, each containing large numbers of winged seeds, ripens in early fall.
Twig: Light brown, solid pith, glabrous, leaf scar sunken, small buds, aerial roots in rows.
Bark: Large vines will develop pale brown scaly bark.
Form: Scrambling, climbing vine that develops tangles along fencerows and shrubs. It can climb quite high.
Looks like: Japanese wisteria - crossvine - woodvamp

Additional Range Information: Campsis radicans is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information