Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata) is in the bignonia family family (Bignoniaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,914 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Cross Vine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Cross Vine
Bignonia capreolata is a vine commonly referred to as crossvine. The common name refers to the cross-shaped pattern revealed when the stem is cut; this pattern results from four radial wedges of phloem embedded within the stem’s xylem. It is native to the central and southern United States. The vine climbs without twining but does produce tendrils. It produces long tubular flowers which are red and yellow and frequently have a mocha fragrance. The leaves are...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Cross Vine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1,044 | April | Apr–May |
| Texas | 994 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Georgia | 873 | April | Apr–Apr |
| North Carolina | 855 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Alabama | 427 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Florida | 366 | March | Mar–Apr |
| South Carolina | 342 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Kentucky | 253 | May | Apr–May |
| Louisiana | 192 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Arkansas | 184 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Mississippi | 141 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Virginia | 136 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 32 | April | Apr–May |
| Maryland | 23 | May | Apr–May |
| West Virginia | 13 | May | Apr–May |
| Ohio | 10 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Missouri | 8 | April | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 6 | May | Apr–May |
| Oklahoma | 5 | April | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (bignonia family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Cross Vine?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Cross Vine most often seen?
The most observations come from Tennessee, Texas, Georgia.