These are connected by a central tendril with adhesive pads at its tips, allowing the plant to climb surfaces such as wood, stone, and brick without additional support.

A tendril arises between the leaflets, terminating in small adhesive pads that enable the plant to cling to vertical surfaces.

[12] The flowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer, are tubular and trumpet-shaped, typically 1.5–2 inches (3.8–5 cm) long.

Molecular phylogenetic studies reveal that Bignonia capreolata shares a close relationship with other climbing members of the family, such as Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper).

Its fast growth and ability to climb vertical structures make it particularly effective for landscaping projects that aim to add height or cover unsightly areas.

[5] The vine is frequently planted for erosion control along slopes and riverbanks, where its extensive root system helps stabilize soil.

[14] One 18th century report describes a medicinal use for cross-vine by the Cherokee people:[15] The vines or climbing stems of the climber (Bigonia Crucigera) are equally divided longitudinally into four parts by the same number of their membranes somewhat resembling a piece of white tape by which means, when the vine is cut through and divided traversely, it presents to view the likeness of a cross.

The country people of Carolina crop these vines to pieces, together with china brier and sassafras roots, and boil them in their beer in the spring, for diet drink, in order to attenuate and purify the blood and juices.

It is a principal ingredient in Howard's famous infusion for curing the yaws, etc., the virtues and use of which he obtained from Indian Doctors.In 2012, researchers at Bastyr University published a paper revealing that they had identified the indole alkaloid reserpine in crossvine.