Cowitch vine, Climbing Hydrangea, Woodvamp
Decumaria barbara
Hydrangeaceae


Landscape Uses:

Vine or sprawling groundcover.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Rarely grown by native plant nurseries.
Description:
High-climbing, deciduous woody vine, climbing by roots. Tough, brittle stems and dark green leaves 2-4 inches long. Small white flowers in showy clusters 4 inches wide.
Height:
Typically 5-20 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southeastern United States from Virginia west to Louisiana and south to Hillsborough, Polk, and Osceola counties.
Habitats:
Moist to wet hammocks and swamps
Soils:
Moist to wet, poorly-drained to well-drained, usually organic soils.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate to high; grows best with some organic content and may languish in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
Moderate shade to light shade.
Flower Color:
White
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Late spring.
Fruit:
Tiny urn-like pods.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.