| Tecoma capensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Bignoniaceae |
| Genus: | Tecoma |
| Species: | T. capensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Tecoma capensis (Thunb.) Lindl. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Tecomaria capensis |
|
Tecoma capensis, commonly known as Cape Honeysuckle, is a scrambling shrub which is native to Africa.
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It grows to about 2 to 3 metres in height and a similar width. It is normally an evergreen shrub, but may lose its leaves in colder climates. In certain habitats it may scramble, meaning that it shoots out long growth tips which lean on the stems and branches of other plants, as well as boulders, trellises, fences and walls; this can lead to the plant appearing untidy.
Leaves are evergreen to semi-deciduous in colder climates. They are opposite, slightly serrated, green to dark-green, pinnate with 5 to 9 oblong leaflets.
Flower colour ranges from orange to orange-red to apricot and are produced at different times throughout the year. In addition, these are tubular, narrow, about 3 in (7.5 cm) long. They are grouped in terminal clusters that are 4–6 in (10–15 cm) long.
The species occur naturally in South Africa, Swaziland and southern Mozambique. It is cultivated in other areas of the world, such as in South-east Asia and Hawaii. The species can be considered invasive in remote islands such as the Acores (as seen at the island of São Miguel, near Ponta Garça).
The Cape Honeysuckle has been in cultivation for many years and is often used for hedging, as it is a scrambling shrub. It can be propagated from cuttings or by removing rooted suckers during the active growth phase.
In cold areas young plants should be protected from frost. The Cape Honeysuckle can be planted in semi-shade to full sun. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.
Flowering time for this shrub is very erratic and often it flowers all year round. Flowers vary from red, deep orange, yellow to salmon. It is claimed by some that the yellow variety grows as a neater bush than the orange variety, but this is yet to be verified.
The Cape Honeysuckle is an excellent plant to use in a wildlife garden in Southern Africa, since it is popular with sunbirds and certain insects due to its nectar. As a scrambler, it can be quite dense (if pruned) and as such can be utilised as a nesting site by a few bird species.
The larvae of the Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) and the Fulvous Hawkmoth (Coelonia mauritii) eat the leaves of this plant.