Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata)Crossvine is a long lived (up to 50 years) fast growing perennial and evergreen vine with dark green foliage. It can climb very long and far if it gets its way. It gets its name due to the cross section of its stem shows a cross shaped pattern. This is a showy bloomer anytime from February through late June. It occurs naturally in Florida in mesic to dry hammocks, floodplain forests and dry hardwood forests. It is most commonly pollinated by

Blanketflower

This shrub grows best in moist soil with full sun to partial shade

Moisture level: lightly moist to dry

Heat and humidity tolerant

This plant does well in the Florida sandy soil

it is the host plant to several moths including titan sphinx (Aellopos titan) and hydrangea sphinx (Darapsa versicolor) moths

It has also been used to treat asthma

Should you find a plant

Soil pH: slightly acidic

giving it the common name skullcap

Fruit color: Brown

This compact plant reaches about 16 inches in height and spreads 12 to 18 inches wide