Hydrangea barbara (Linnaeus) Bernd Schulz. Subgenus: Decumaria. Section: Decumaria. Common name: Climbing Hydrangea, Woodvamp, Decumary. Phenology: May-Jun; Jul-Oct. Habitat: Swamp forests and bottomlands, moist forests in the mountains. Distribution: Se. VA south to FL and west to LA, s. AR, and e. TX (Singhurst, Keith, & Holmes 2005), inland to nw. SC, se. TN, and w. TN.
ID notes: This handsome vine climbs to the tops of trees via adventitious roots. The opposite leaves are somewhat fleshy in texture. Hydrangea barbara is readily distinguished from the other opposite-leaved, woody vines in our flora (Gelsemium, Trachelospermum, Lonicera, Bignonia, Campsis, and Clematis) by its leaves (simple, ovate, and usually serrate) and climbing structures (adventitious roots).
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = K4; = Decumaria barbara L. — Ar, C, F, Fl5, FNA12, G, GW2, RAB, S, S13, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3. Basionym: Decumaria barbara L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Decumaria barbara - FNA12
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW (name change)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (name change)
- Northcentral & Northeast: OBL (name change)
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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Horticultural Information
No horticultural data found for this taxon.