Editorial photo #11110736 Human Interest

Campsis Grandiflora - Chinese Trumpet Creepe

The Chinese Trumpet Creeper, or Trumpet Vine (Campsis grandiflora), is a fast-growing vine that can reach up to 30 feet in length and is native to East Asia. It features large, orange or red flowers that bloom on new growth from June to October, known for their trumpet shape and golden-yellow throats. The fruit consists of elongated, pendulous, 3 to 5-inch-long bean-like follicles that split open when ripe, releasing numerous 2-winged seeds for dispersal by the wind. This vigorous climber can tolerate heat zones 7-9 and climate zones 4-24. It thrives in rich, fertile soils, including clay, loam, and sand, and is commonly found on hillsides and roadsides in China and Korea. The Chinese Trumpet Creeper can spread aggressively. Contact with the vine may cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset. If the vine comes into contact with your skin, wash the area immediately, and seek medical assistance if ingested. A branch of the Chinese Trumpet Creeper with fruit was observed in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)