The Vines
The maritime forest seems covered
in vines. The flowers of some of these
appear less conspicuous than others,
but you may have noticed the vines
that have beautiful, colorful and
fragrant tubular-shaped flowers. These
include trumpet creeper (Campsis
radicans), coral honeysuckle (Lonicera
semipervirens), cross vine (Bignonia
capreolata) and yellow jessamine. These
natives have unique yet very similar
characteristics.
Trumpet creeper, also called cow-itch
vine, produces showy clusters of large
(up to 3½ inches long) waxy orange,
yellow or reddish flowers during June
and July. These aggressive growing
deciduous woody vines with compound
leaves can climb over 100 feet—over
anything in their paths—growing tall
using trees and other structures for
support. Although these vines are
considered to be robust and invasive,
they are gorgeous in bloom. However,
their fruit, flowers, and sap are toxic
and may cause skin rashes or blisters if
handled.
Another beautiful native vine, coral
honeysuckle (not to be confused with
the invasive Japanese honeysuckle), was
named South Carolina “Wildflower of
the Year in 2014.” This twining semi-
evergreen woody vine produces clusters
of bright red, orange, or pink narrow
tubular flowers (frequently yellow
inside) profusely from early spring to
July. The species is easy to identify by
the opposite leaves that appear to grow
together around the stem (perfoliate)
directly below the flowers.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds, many
butterfly species, bees, and other insects
love this vine. Its red berries provide
food for a variety of birds, but these
berries can cause nausea in humans.
Native Americans used the leaves
(smoked or in a tea) to treat coughs
and asthma, and crushed leaves and sap
have been used to treat bee stings.
WINTER/SPRING 2018 • VOLUME 39
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