Thunbergia fragrans Roxb.

Etymology Genus After Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish botanist
Species Fragrant
Family Acanthaceae
Synonyms Roxburghia rostrata Russell ex Nees
Common Names Sweet Clock Vine, White Lady, White Thunbergia
Status Exotic: Naturalised
Form Climber
Native Distribution Southeastern Asia and Malesia

Diagnostics:

Thunbergia fragrans have a very distinct leaf shape, which always reminds me of a knight's shield. It has a pronounced drip-tip and two short wings at the base. It climbs via its twining stem. It is common at open forest edges and seem to be able to tolerate semi-shade too.


Interesting Facts:

Henderson (1959) said that it is found natively on limestone at the north of Peninsular Malaysia.


The Sweet Clock Vine is a common climber of sunny areas.

The leaf shape is very distinctive with two short lobes at the base.

Flowers are white and five petaled.

Fruit is a capsule with an extended 'beak'.

References

Henderson MR. (1959) Malayan Wild Flowers: Dicotyledons. Malayan Nature Society, Kulau Lumpar, Malaysia. 478 pp.


Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-03-21 / Modified: 2017-12-25


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