MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

PLANTS

VINES & GROUNDCOVERS

[photo, Honeysuckle (Lonicera L.), Baltimore, Maryland]

Maryland Vines & Groundcovers

Invasive Domestic Vines & Groundcovers

Invasive Introduced Vines & Groundcovers

100 Poisonous Plants of Maryland (University of Maryland)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera L.), Baltimore, Maryland, July 2014. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

[photo, Vines encompassing tree trunk, Millersville, Maryland]

Perhaps the most adaptive form of plants, vines and groundcovers are plants that grow beyond their primary stem, yet do not adhere to the definition of shrub or tree. These species primarily expand horizontally, so as to aquire sun or water after their initial growth, though some possess climbing stems used to extend vertically. One example of this classification is poison ivy, which, depending on its surroundings, can thrive as a low groundcover, but also as a climbing vine.

Vines compete with trees and shrubs for sunlight and water. Their weight also can weaken branches, especially those laden with snow.

Vines encompassing tree trunk (left), Millersville, Maryland, August 2019. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Moss (right), Thurmont, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

[photo, Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Glen Burnie, Maryland]

Some vines and groundcovers are extremely poisonous, and others are dangerous if handled improperly. If one such vine or groundcover is eaten or handled, first aid is required.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Glen Burnie, Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

MARYLAND VINES & GROUNDCOVERS

[photo, Prickly Pear Cactus, Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), Maryland]

Name	Scientific Name	Blooms
Bittersweet, American	Celastrus scandens L.	May - June
Cactus, Prickly Pear	Opuntia humifusa	April - June
Creeper, Trumpet	Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau	July - Sept.
Crossvine	Bignonia capreolata L.	May - June

Prickly Pear Cactus, Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Honeysuckle, Trumpet	Lonicera sempervirens L.	April - July
Needles, Devil's Darning	Clematis virginiana L.	July - Sept.
Vasevine	Clematis viorna L.	May - Aug.

INVASIVE DOMESTIC VINES & GROUNDCOVERS

[photo, Virginia Creeper, Glen Burnie, Maryland]

Name	Scientific Name	Blooms
Creeper, Virginia	Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.	June - Aug.
Ivy, Poison	Toxicodendron radicans	May - July
Passionflower, Purple	Passiflora incarnata L.	June - Sept.
Wisteria, American	Wisteria frutescens	May - July

Virginia Creeper, Glen Burnie, Maryland, May 2015. Photos by Diane F. Evartt.

INVASIVE INTRODUCED VINES & GROUNDCOVERS

[photo, Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora), Crownsville, Maryland]

Name	Scientific Name	Blooms
Berry, Porcelain	Ampelopsis brevipedunculata	July - Aug.
Bittersweet, Oriental	Celastrus orbiculatus	May - June
Clematis, Sweet Autumn	Clematis terniflora	June - Oct.
Honeysuckle, Japanese	Lonicera japonica	April - Sept.
Ivy, English	Hedera helix	Aug. - Oct.

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora), also known as Wild Clematis & noted for its sweet scent, Crownsville, Maryland, August 2015. Photos by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, English Ivy (Hedera helix), Baltimore, Maryland]

English Ivy (Hedera helix) is used as groundcover because it grows fast, remains green, and requires little or no maintenance; however, once it becomes established, it will spread if not kept in check, creeping across lawns and climbing trees or buildings.

English Ivy (Hedera helix), Baltimore, Maryland, July 2014. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

[photo, Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Glen Burnie, Maryland]

Kudzu	Pueraria lobata	July - Sept.
Mile-a-Minute	Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross	May - July
Periwinkle, Common	Vinca minor	April - Aug.
Tearthumb, Asiatic	Polygonum perfoliatum	July - Aug.
Wintercreeper	Euonymus fortunei
Wisteria, Chinese	Wisteria sinensis	May - June
Wisteria, Japanese	Wisteria floribunda	April - June

Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)(left), Glen Burnie, Maryland, April 2019. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)(right), Glen Burnie, Maryland, April 2011. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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