| Etymology | Genus | After Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish botanist |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Laurel like leaves | |
| Family | Acanthaceae | |
| Synonyms | Thunbergia grandiflora var. laurifolia (Lindl.) Benoist | |
| Common Names | Laurel Clock Vine, Blue Trumpet Vine | |
| Status | Native: Presumed Extinct | |
| Form | Climber | |
| Native Distribution | Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia | |
Diagnostics:
Thunbergia laurifolia is a sun-loving climber popularly used to cover fences and trellises. The leaves are distinctive with some serrations on its margins. The purple flowers are large with a darker tint of purple at the lower lip.
The flowers look exactly the same compared with Thunbergia grandifora (another commonly cultivated climber) but they can be differentiated easily from the leaf shape.
Interesting Facts:
While the Laurel Clock Vine is nationally extinct, it is still possible to find them growing wild in young secondary forests. However, their occurence is very likely to be escapees from cultivation. The flowers are visited frequently by carpenter bees.
The Laurel Clock Vine covering over a fence. Wild ones grow opposite to this clump at a small unused land. No guessing where they originate from.
The distinctive shape of the leaf.
The flowers are large and purple.
References
-Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-08-31 / Modified: 2017-12-25
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