Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - July 02, 2012
From: Seguin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Cow-itch vine name from Seguin TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
How did Cow-Itch Vine (Cissus incisa / Cissus trifoliata) get its name?ANSWER:
There are actually several vines native to Texas that are sometimes called "cow-itch vine:
Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) - Bignoniaceae (trumpet vine family)
Cissus trifoliata (Cow-itch vine) - Vitaceae (grape) family. We believe Cissus incisa is a synonym, and is actually the same plant. A previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer on this plant
From a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer, we learned that Ampelopsis arborea (Peppervine) - Vitaceae (grape) family also has the "cow-itch" common name.
Generally, those vines have some feature of the leaves and stems that produce itching in anyone susceptible to it. We suspect they are called that because, in addition to causing the irritation, they are much more irritating as invasive vines that nearly can't be gotten rid of.
Closely related to Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) is the:
Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) - Bignoniaceae (trumpet vine family). This certainly seems to have a better reputation for a garden plant, including attracting hummingbirds. Its leaves and stems may also cause irritation, but not an invasives irritation.
The name "cow itch vines" probably evolved because we couldn't publish what they were really being called. You can follow each plant link to learn more about them.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Identification of a vine with thorns and blue berries.
April 22, 2008 - > Hello,
> We have acreage in Butler County, PA. I recently discovered a vine that I can't identify. It's has many small spines all over the stem, then very large and stiff thorns. It has dark gr...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of wild grape vines
July 14, 2004 - How can I propagate wild grape vines where I want them to grow?
view the full question and answer
Identification of vine with white flower and \
May 02, 2008 - I have a vine intruding from my neighbors yard that has small white blooms on them (similar to morning glories) and on the stem of the flower below the bloom, a "tiny watermelon" is growing..... It ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for vineyard from Round Rock, TX
February 04, 2013 - I will be planting a vineyard in the Hill Country next spring. I am looking to maintain low-growing understory plants across the entire vineyard to maintain soil health, choosing plants that the leaf...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for roadside in Gallatin TN
February 19, 2012 - What native plant would you suggest that we try to establish on 100 feet of road frontage which gets full afternoon sun? The soil is mostly clay, and it's on a rather sleep hill about 10 feet high. ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |