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] [photo, Moss, Thurmont, 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, for example, contains an oil or resin called urushiol that acts as a skin irritant and causes a rash.



    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.
    Honeysuckle Lonicera L. 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] [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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