Definition

Noun: * A tropical African climbing vine: Thunbergia alata is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is a fast-growing, herbaceous perennial vine, often cultivated as an annual in temperate climates. It is characterized by its twining stems and distinctive flowers.

Usage

• is commonly known as black-eyed Susan vine due to the appearance of its blossoms.
• This plant is popular in gardens and used to cover trellises, fences, and arbors for its ornamental value.
• It is native to Eastern Africa but has been introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Examples

• The fence was beautifully covered with the bright orange flowers of .
• Gardeners often grow from seed in the spring.
• A notable feature of is its flower's contrasting dark center.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and horticultural contexts, the scientific name is used for precise identification, distinguishing it from other species within the genus.
• The specific epithet "" means "winged" in Latin, which may refer to the winged petioles (leaf stalks) of the plant.

Variants and Related Words

• Black-eyed Susan vine: The most common vernacular name for this plant.
• Thunbergia: The genus name, which includes other climbing or shrubby species.
• Acanthaceae: The plant family to which it belongs.

Synonyms

• Black-eyed clock vine
• Orange clock vine

Notes

• While sharing a common name, (the vine) is not botanically related to the North American wildflower , which is also commonly called black-eyed Susan.

Noun

1. tropical African climbing plant having yellow flowers with a dark purple center