Ohio State University Extension Bulletin

Native Plants of Ohio

Bulletin 865


Herbaceous Vines and Creepers

Scientific Name Adlumia fungosa Mitchella repens Phlox stolonifera
Common Name climbing fumitory partridge-berry creeping phlox
Height vine creeper creeper
Bloom Time summer spring/summer spring
Flower Color pink white blue, violet
Habitat rocky clearings dry or moist woods moist woodlands, deep fertile soils
Features Climbs up to 10'; sac-like drooping flowers; foliage bluish-green and 3-lobed. Biennial. Do not disturb in the wild! Ornamental evergreen foliage, red berries; requires acidic soils. Excellent groundcover beneath shrubs. Best in partial shade, makes an excellent groundcover and responds to mulching. *(bf)
Availability specialty dealers trade trade


Scientific Name Phlox subulata Potentilla simplex Waldensteinia fragarioides
Common Name moss phlox common cinquefoil barren strawberry
Height creeper creeper creeper
Bloom Time spring spring spring
Flower Color pink yellow yellow
Habitat dry, sandy places; rocky slopes, slightly acidic soils dry clearings woods, clearings
Features Evergreen foliage; effective groundcover for stabilizing erodible soils; tolerates shady, infertile or rocky sites. *(bf) Low and spreading with palmately compound leaves up to 2.5" long. Does well on dry, infertile soils. Fruits are small and inedible. Though not commercially available, can be easily propagated by cuttings and grows in nearly any soil or situation.
Availability trade specialty dealers  

KEY: = RED denotes plant is toxic to humans. Features: *(x) = a food or cover benefit for...*(bf) = butterflies, *(bf-l) = butterfly larvae, *(w) = wildlife; *(bd) = songbirds; *(be) honeybees; *(hb) = hummingbirds. "Do not disturb in the wild." = plant is endangered (!!), threatened (!), or potentially threatened (.)


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