A fairly common, high-climbing mostly evergreen vine with unique leaves — two leaflets per leaf; the rachis ends with a tendril.

Mecklenburg Co., VA 5/2/05.

The common name comes from the cross shape seen when you make a cross-section of a stem.

Unscented tubular flowers appear in late April and early May. The flowers of wild plants are normally red on the outside and yellow on the inside.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/03.

Horticulturists have created several cultivated varieties (cultivars) — this one is 'Tangerine Beauty'.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/3/03.

But wild Crossvines are just as spectacular.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Johnston Co., NC 4/20/08.

The seed pods are somewhat bean-shaped, long and flat.

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Durham Co., NC 4/9/2011.

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Bark of a very large vine.

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.