Brick and butter vine

Description

Thunbergia mysorensis, the Mysore trumpetvine or lady's slipper vine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. A woody-stemmed evergreen, this vine is native to southern tropical India. The specific epithet mysorensis is derived from the city of Mysore. 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. The vine blooms from spring to autumn. Thunbergia mysorensis is cultivated as a popular ornamental plant in tropical and sub-tropical gardens, conservatories and greenhouses. It grows quickly in frost-free temperate climates, such as coastal Southern California, with flowers draping down from pergolas and other garden structures. Its sweet nectar is attractive to sunbirds, a very small passerine bird, and hummingbirds. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Thunbergia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Madagascar and southern Asia. Thunbergia species are vigorous annual or perennial vines and shrubs growing to 2–8 m tall. The generic name honours the Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828). Its members are known by various names, including thunbergias and clockvine. Thunbergia on its own usually refers to Thunbergia grandiflora, while Thunbergia alata is often known as black-eyed Susan vine or just black-eyed Susan (not to be confused with other flowers called black-eyed Susan). Orange clockvine is the name of Thunbergia gregorii. Thunbergias are frequent garden escapes, becoming invasive species; T. grandiflora, T. fragrans, and T. laurifolia are considered weeds in Australia.