Thunbergia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. It includes 150 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, New Guinea, and Australia.[2] 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).

Thunbergia
Flowers of Thunbergia alata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Thunbergioideae
Genus: Thunbergia
Retz. (1780)[1]
Species[2]

150; see text

Synonyms[2]
  • Diplocalymma Spreng. (1822)
  • Endomelas Raf. (1838)
  • Flemingia Roxb. ex Rottler (1803), nom. rej.
  • Hexacentris Nees (1832)
  • Pleimeris Raf. (1838)
  • Pleuremidis Raf. (1838)
  • Schmidia Wight (1852)
  • Valentiana Raf. (1814)

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.[3]

Selected species

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150 species are accepted.[2] Selected species include:

Formerly placed here

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References

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  1. ^ "Genus: Thunbergia Retz". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-10-05. Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  2. ^ a b c d Thunbergia Retz. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. ^ Weeds Australia, National Weeds Strategy, retrieved 27 March 2015
  4. ^ "Red List of South African Plants". SANBI. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b "GRIN Species Records of Thunbergia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
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