Thunbergia gregorii

Thunbergia gregorii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Thunbergia
Species:
T. gregorii
Binomial name
Thunbergia gregorii
S.Moore, 1894
Orange clockvine, flowering in May, in Mountain View, California

Thunbergia gregorii, commonly known as orange clockvine or orange trumpet vine, is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant species in the family Acanthaceae, native to East Africa and sometimes cultivated as an ornamental vine. The bright, pure all-orange flowers distinguish it from the related black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata).[1]

Spencer Le Marchant Moore described the species in 1894, naming it after John Walter Gregory.[1] Within the genus Thunbergia, it is most closely related to T. alata, the two being placed in the subgenus Parahexacentris.[2] The common name of clockvine relates to the vine spiralling upwards in a clockwise direction.[1]

Thunbergia gregorii is an evergreen vine that grows to 8–10 ft. tall, or if left without support can become an extensive groundcover. It looks like the related black-eyed Susan vine (T. alata), but without the black eye.

Thunbergia gregorii is native to east Africa, and is pollinated by bees.[2]

Hardy to -1 C, Thunbergia gregorii flowers more profusely and even year-round in warmer climates, while restricted to summer and autumn in cooler climates.[3] It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

Propagation is by cuttings taken in the summer.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Armitage, Allan M. (2011). Armitage's Vines and Climbers: A Gardener's Guide to the Best Vertical Plants. Timber Press. p. 193. ISBN 9781604692891.
  2. ^ a b Schönenberger, Jürg (1999). "Floral structure, development and diversity in Thunbergia (Acanthaceae)". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 130 (1): 1–36 [10–11]. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1999.tb00779.x.
  3. ^ Mathias, Mildred E. (1985). Flowering Plants in the Landscape. University of California Press. p. 126. ISBN 9780520054141.
  4. ^ "Thunbergia gregorii". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 5 March 2021.