trumpet creeper

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• trumpet-creeper
• trumpetvine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tecoma radicans var. lutea
• Bignonia radicans var. praecox
• Gelseminum radicans
• Tecoma radicans major
• Bignonia radicans var. coccinea
• Campsis radicans f. minor
• Tecoma atrosanguineum
• Tecoma radicans var. speciosa
• Bignonia radicans var. flammea
• Campsis radicans var. speciosa
• Tecoma flava-speciosa
• Bignonia radicans var. minor
• Campsis radicans var. praecox
• Campsis radicans f. praecox
• Tecoma radicans var. minor
• Campsis radicans f. flava
• Tecoma radicans var. praecox
• Bignonia radicans var. flava
• Tecoma radicans
• Bignonia radicans var. lutea
• Bignonia florida
• Campsis radicans var. aurea
• Campsis radicans f. aurea
• Bignonia radicans
• Campsis curtisii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Lamiales and the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Campsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of both Austria and Germany. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can also be found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically in France. The species extends its range into Southeastern Europe as well. Within this southeastern region, the plant is notably distributed across Bulgaria and Greece.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Campsis radicans is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution, primarily thriving within a defined montane or sub-montane vertical niche. This species is typically found across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 400 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 500 m AMSL, with a documented mean elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This distribution pattern suggests that the plant is highly adapted to specific atmospheric pressures and temperature gradients found within these middle-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Campsis radicans is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years and maintains its presence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural trait that allows it to thrive in various environmental conditions. Furthermore, its life form is defined as a phanerophyte, supporting its vigorous climbing habit and woody growth patterns that enable it to ascend structures or other vegetation to reach sunlight.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Campsis radicans is characterized by its growth as a woody, independent liana that functions as an obligatory climber. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies and maintains an independent lifestyle without being a parasite. Its growth form is categorized as a shrub-like woody structure that can reach significant dimensions; while it has a mean plant height of 0.61 m in certain contexts, its full developmental range is much more expansive, with a minimum height of 2 m and a maximum potential height reaching up to 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

0.61 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Campsis radicans is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy allows the plant to thrive in temperate environments where moisture is available, though it makes the plant susceptible to photorespiration under high-temperature or drought-stressed conditions. The vegetative architecture supports this metabolic activity through expansive foliage, where individual leaves can reach a maximum length of 30 cm. These large leaf surfaces facilitate efficient light interception and gas exchange, driving the energy production necessary for the plant's vigorous climbing habit and woody growth.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Campsis radicans is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant enters its flowering phase in July and continues until September, providing a concentrated period for pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod. These fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to facilitate the release of seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a minimum mass of 0.0004 g, a mean mass of 0.003889 g, and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.0096 g. Once released from the pod, the seeds utilize an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport them away from the parent plant to new growing locations.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass max:

0.0096 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003889 g

Seed mass min:

4e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Campsis radicans has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hesperidin.

hesperidin

1. RSC advances