Thunbergia mysorensis

Thunbergia mysorensis
Thunbergia mysorensis in the Cairns Botanical Gardens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Thunbergia
Species: T. mysorensis
Binomial name
Thunbergia mysorensis
(Wight) T.Anderson ex Bedd., 1865
Synonyms[1]
  • Hexacentris mysorensis Wight

Thunbergia mysorensis, also called Mysore trumpetvine[2] or Indian clock vine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. A woody-stemmed evergreen, this vine is cultivated in Spain (south) and native to southern tropical India.[3] The specific epithet mysorensis is derived from the city of Mysore.[3] Other vernacular names include brick & butter vine, lady's slipper vine, and dolls' shoes[4] due to the flower shape and large size.

Description

Thunbergia mysorensis often reaches 6 metres (20 ft) and has long narrow medium green leaves. The dramatic and very large pendent hanging blossoms have individual flowers in a bold curved shaped. This is enhanced by their being a rich saturated yellow, with maroon to brownish red outer tip coloring.[3] The vine blooms from Spring to Autumn.[3]

Cultivation

Thunbergia mysorensis is cultivated as a popular ornamental plant in tropical and sub-tropical gardens, conservatories and greenhouses.[3] It grows quickly in frost-free temperate climates, such as coastal Southern California, with flowers draping down from pergolas and other garden structures.[5] Its sweet nectar is attractive to sunbirds, a very small passerine bird, and hummingbirds.[3]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thunbergia mysorensis.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, April 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.