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Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach
| Family Name: | Bignoniaceae |
| Synonyms: | Bignonia capensis, Tecoma capensis |
| Common Name: | Cape Honeysuckle, West Indian Honeysuckle, 硬骨凌霄, 南非凌霄花 |
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 2 m to 3 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 2.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Evergreen shrub with a scrambling growth habit or long vine when provided mechanical support (up to 6 - 9 m long). |
| Foliage | Shiny green leaves are pinnately compound (15 cm long). They are composed of 5 - 7 toothed leaflets (5 cm long) that lack stalks and occur in pairs. |
| Flowers | Red-orange tubular flowers (5 cm long) have 5 unequal lobes and a long protruding style (filament-like tip of the female organ). Flowers occur in clusters near the branch tips. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. |
| Fruits | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. Flattened fruits (13 cm long) contain seeds with papery wings. |
| Cultivation | This fast-growing species should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil that is mildly acidic to mildy alkaline. Allow 0.6 - 0.9 m of spacing between individuals. It flowers best under full sun, but also tolerates light shade. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb and Spice) Medicinal ( Powdered bark used traditionally to relieve pain and insomnia. Leaf extracts found by modern researchers to possess anti-fungal properties.) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | General, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence), Biotic (Fauna) ( Aaptos suberitoides . Seeds have large papery wings which are dispersed by wind. ) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Odd-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Capsule |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 1205 |
| Species ID | 2498 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
