Cow Itch Vine, Hummingbird Vine, Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, common trumpet creeper

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 10 min read

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Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Trumpet Vine facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Trumpet vine Scientific Classification in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Campsis radicans commonly known as trumpet vine or trumpet creeper, also known in North America as cow itch vine or hummingbird vine, is a species of flowering plant of the family Bignoniaceae. The Plant is native to eastern, north-central, and south-central portions of the United States and has become naturalized in New England. Its natural range occurs from New Jersey to Ontario and Iowa, and south to Florida and Texas. It inhabits woodlands and riverbanks and is also a popular garden subject. Cow Itch Vine, Hummingbird Vine, Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, common trumpet creeper, Cow vine, foxglove vine, hell vine and Devil’s shoestring are some of the popular common name of the Trumpet vine.

Genus name comes from the Greek word kampe meaning bent in reference to the bent stamens on plant flowers. Specific epithet means having rooting stems. Trumpet vine is also commonly known as cow-itch vine because some people experience skin redness and itching after coming in contact with the leaves. Trumpet Creeper usually climbs up trees, shrubs, telephone poles, and other vertical structures using aerial rootlets, otherwise, it sprawls across the ground.

Trumpet Vine facts

Name	Trumpet vine
Scientific Name	Campsis radicans
Native	Eastern, north-central, and south-central portions of the United States and has become naturalized in New England. Its natural range occurs from New Jersey to Ontario and Iowa, and south to Florida and Texas
Common Names	Cow Itch Vine, Hummingbird Vine, Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, common trumpet creeper, Cow vine, foxglove vine, hellvine, Devil’s shoestring
Name in Other Languages	Bulgarian: Kampsis (кампсис) Croatian: Tekoma Czech: Křivouš kořenující, trubač kořenující Danish: Trompetblomst Dutch: Trompetklimmer, trompetbloem English: Cow itch vine, Hummingbird vine, Trumpet honeysuckle, Trumpet creeper, Trumpet vine, red trumpet vine French: Bignone à fleurs jaunes, Bignone commune, Bignone de Virginie, Bignone radicante, Bois de frêne , Jasmin de Virginie, Jasmin-trompette, bignone, campsidie, German: Amerikanische Trompetenwinde, Rote Klettertrompete, Virginischer Jasmin, Wurzelnde Jasmintrompete, kriechende Trompetenwinde, virginische Klettertrompete Greek: Kampseis (Καμψίς), Vignónia (Βιγνόνια), Vignónia i̱ rizovólos (Βιγνόνια η ριζοβόλος) Hungarian: Trombitafolyondár Italian: Bignonia della Florida, Gelsomino della Virginia, bignonia selvatica, gelsomino falso, tecoma di Virginia, tromba del giudizio Japanese: Amerika nouzen gazura (アメリカノウゼンガズラ), Amerika nouzen kazura (アメリカ凌霄花), amerika-no-uzenkazura- Korean: Mi gu neung so hwa (미국능소 화) Polish: Milin amerykański Portuguese: Bignónia-vermelha, trombeta Russian: Kampsis ukoreniaiushchijsia (Кампсис укореняющийся) Slovak: Trúbkovec koreňujúci Spanish: Trompeta trepadora, bignonia roja, campsis, enredadera de trompeta, jazmín de Virginia, jazmín trompeta, trompetilla Swedish: Trumpetranka Thai: Rung arun (รุ่งอรุณ), trumpetranka Turkish: Acem sarmaşığı, Boru sarmaşığı Ukrainian: кампсис повзучий
Plant Growth Habit	Dense, vigorous, fast growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous, woody, clinging vine
Growing Climates	Low woods, thickets, open woods, savannas, thickets, riverbanks, disturbed fence rows, roadsides or neglected fields, bottomland forests, swamp forests, old fields, edges of floodplain forests, loess bluffs, woodland edges, gravelly seeps with woody vegetation, limestone glades, lawn trees, telephone poles, railroads, abandoned fields
Soil	It is easily grown in a wide variety of soils. It is best planted in lean-to average soils with regular moisture in full sun to part shade
Plant Size	Up to 12 m or about 40 feet in height
Root	Vigorous running roots and aerial roots are formed in 2 rows below nodes on the stem
Bark	Bark of the mature vine is flaky and light tan
Stem	Green turning tan and are covered with hair-like aerial roots. Old stems become woody and several inches in diameter
In Leaf	June to October
Leaf	Deciduous, opposite and pinnately compound. Each leaf consists of 7-11 ovate or elliptical coarsely toothed leaflets. The leaflets are about 3” long and are glossy, bright green and unpalatable to mammalian herbivores
Flowering season	August to September
Flower	Flowers red to yellow-orange, tubular shape, lengths of up to 8 cm and width 4 cm at the mouth, and arranged in sets of 4-12.
Fruit Shape & Size	Long flat tapered (10-20 cm) capsules, 10-20 cm long which split open when ripe releasing flat winged seed.
Fruit Color	Green when young turning to brown as they mature
Seed	6-9 mm long, flattened; the body is elliptic in outline, 2-lobed, brown, with a wing at each end, the wings is papery, light tan, with irregular margins
Propagation	By seeds, cuttings, of both green and mature wood, root-cuttings, and air-layers
Taste	Sweet, Sour
Plant Parts Used	Flower
Traditional Uses	The root is diaphoretic and vulnerary.

Trumpet vine Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Campsis radicans

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Subdivision	Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass	Asteridae
Superorder	Asteranae
Order	Scrophulariales
Family	Bignoniaceae (Trumpet-creeper family)
Genus	Campsis Lour. (campsis)
Species	Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau (trumpet creeper)
Synonyms	Bignonia coccinea Steud Bignonia florida Salisb Bignonia radicans L Bignonia radicans var. coccinea Pursh Bignonia radicans var. flammea Pursh Bignonia radicans var. minor Castigl Campsis curtisii Seem Campsis radicans (L.) Bureau Campsis radicans var. praecox C.K.Schneid Gelseminum radicans (L.) Kuntze Tecoma radicans (L.) Juss Tecoma radicans var. minor DC Tecoma radicans var. praecox Rehder

Plant Description

Trumpet vine is a dense, vigorous, fast growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous, and woody, clinging vine that grows about 12 m or about 40 feet in height. The plant is found growing in low woods, thickets, open woods, savannas, thickets, riverbanks, disturbed fence rows, roadsides or neglected fields, bottomland forests, swamp forests, old fields, edges of floodplain forests, loess bluffs, woodland edges, gravelly seeps with woody vegetation, limestone glades, lawn trees, telephone poles, railroads and abandoned fields. It is easily grown in a wide variety of soils. It is best planted in lean-to average soils with regular moisture in full sun to part shade. The plant has vigorous running roots and aerial roots are formed in 2 rows below nodes on the stem. Stem is green turning tan and are covered with hair-like aerial roots. Old stems become woody and several inches in diameter. Bark of the mature vine is flaky and light tan. Once the vine climbs to a certain height it grows horizontal branches that reach away from the support in a quest for light and space.

Leaves

Leaves are deciduous, opposite and pinnately compound that is 4-12 in long that cover the vine in a dense cloak of bright green foliage. Each leaf consists of 7-11 ovate or elliptical coarsely toothed leaflets that have serrated edges. The leaflets are about 1-4 in long and 0.5-1.5 in wide and are glossy, bright green and unpalatable to mammalian herbivores.

Leaf arrangement	Opposite/sub opposite
Leaf Type	Odd-pinnately compound
Leaf Margin	Dentate
Leaf Shape	Ovate
Leaf Venation	Pinnate
Leaf type and Persistence	Deciduous
Leaf-blade length	2 to 4 inches
Leaf Color	Green
Fall color	Orange
Fall characteristic	Not Showy

Flower

Periodically, short cymes of 2-8 flowers are produced along the length of the vine. Flowers are up to 3½ inches long and have an elongated funnel form shape that is trumpet-like in appearance. The corolla is orange to reddish-orange; along its outer rim, there are 5 shallow lobes that curl backward. The tubular calyx is reddish-orange, leathery in texture, and 5-toothed. It is much shorter than the corolla. Along the inner surface of the corolla, there are reddish lines that function as nectar guides and 4 inserted stamens. There are extra-floral nectaries at the base of each flower. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 2 months. The abundance of flowers is variable; there is no floral scent.

Flower Color	Yellow
Flower Characteristics	Summer flowering

Fruit

Each flower is replaced by a linear elongated seed capsule about 6 inches long, 2-valved, slightly flattened, elliptic in cross-section with noticeable ridges along the sutures between the valves, the valves glabrous, with a leathery texture. As they mature this seed capsule dries and eventually splits apart into two sections to release hundreds of thin brown paper-like seeds. The seeds are 6-9 mm long, flattened; the body is elliptic in outline, 2-lobed, brown, with a wing at each end, the wings is papery, light tan, with irregular margins. They are dispersed by the wind.

Fruit Shape	Pod or pod-like
Fruit Length	3 to 6 inches
Fruit Cover	Dry or hard
Fruit Color	Brown
Fruit Characteristic	Persists on the plant

Other Facts

It can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position.
They can be allowed to scramble on the ground and will form an effective ground cover, rooting at intervals along the branches.
They should be planted about 2.5 meters apart each way.
radicans is an occasional food source for large mammals and terrestrial birds.
Showy flowers of trumpet creeper make this plant appropriate for some gardening and landscaping needs.
It is often used as a cover for fences, arbors, walls, pillars or large trellises and as a ground cover.
Cigar-like fruit may be considered decorative during winter.
Vines also provide habitat to ants.

Precautions

There have been isolated cases reported of people suffering from dermatitis after handling the leaves.
Avoid its use during pregnancy.
Avoid use in case of blood deficiency.
Eating leaves or flowers may result in minor skin irritation with redness and swelling.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.