Fauna
Plant

American Trumpet Vine

Campsis radicans

Also known as Trumpet Creeper, Yellow Trumpet Vine, Cow Itch Vine, Hellvine

American trumpet vine scales trees, fences, and structures using clingy aerial rootlets, producing dense clusters of vibrant reddish-orange flowers throughout summer. These tubular blooms produce rich nectar that serves as a vital food source for hummingbirds and long-tongued insects. While valued for its ornamental beauty and wildlife appeal, its vigorous root system and prolific seed pods allow it to quickly spread and dominate landscape boundaries.

ClimbingFloweringWoody Vine
American Trumpet Vine reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
ThreatsHerbicide spraying, aggressive mechanical removal
HabitatsWoodlands, riverbanks, thickets, fence lines, urban edges
Life spanPerennial (deciduous vine, decades)
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyBignoniaceae
  3. GenusCampsis
  4. SpeciesCampsis radicans
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Plant sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals; wear gloves when pruning.
Why it is dangerous
Leaves and sap contain mild irritants that cause redness, itching, and contact dermatitis in sensitive skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for opposite compound leaves with 7 to 11 coarsely toothed leaflets along woody climbing stems.
What to do
Wear protective gloves and long sleeves when handling or cutting stems, and wash exposed skin promptly.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning Management: Cut back vigorously in early spring to control growth and encourage flower production.
  • Wildlife Watching: Observe from a brief distance during midsummer peak blooms to watch visiting hummingbirds.
Related species
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