Common Name: Cross Vine

General Information

Bignonia capreolata is a vigorous, semi-evergreen climbing shrub with stems that attach themselves to the surrounding vegetation by means of tendrils. The stems are usually up to 15 metres long, though they can reach 20 metres or more. Plants are evergreen in the warmer parts of its range, but lose their leaves in cold winters[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food flavouring and a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental and a groundcover, valued especially for its showy, fragrant flowers, rapid growth and its ability to cloak structures with its attractive foliage[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Oklahoma to Illinois and Maryland, south to Texas and Florida

Habitat

Low woods and swamps[]. Rich forests and swamps. and along roadsides and fencerows[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Climber
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Bignonia capreolata is a fairly cold-tolerant plant. Evergreen in areas with mild winters, the plant is known to survive winters with temperatures occasionally falling as low as -25°c, although all top growth will be killed at these temperatures with the plant resprouting from the base the following growing season[].
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade[]. Tolerates full shade, but best flower production occurs in a sunny position[].
The flowers have a mocha-like fragrance.
The plant produces tubers around 10cm in diameter[].
In cultivation, if the plant is not properly managed it can spread quickly by root suckers and become problematic. Pruning will reduce aggressive growth if spread is not desired[].

Edible Uses

The roots are a source of the flavoring agent sarsaparilla[]..

Medicinal

The plant is used traditionally as a remedy for numerous health ailments[].
An infusion of the leaves has been used to purify the blood. Decoctions of the leaves has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[].

A decoction of the mashed bark has been used to alleviate oedema and headaches[].

Individuals with diphtheria gargled a mashed root infusion[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is often grown to provide a cover for fences, arbors, walls, pillars or large trellises. It can also be used to form a groundcover

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Root suckers[].