Thunbergia Purple (Thunbergia Grandiflora)

Bengal Clockvine (Scientific - Thunbergia Grandiflora) is one of the prettiest climbers, which grows luxuriantly in salubrious climate is “The Bengal Clock Vine.” The curious name ‘clock vine’ comes from the fact that it twines around a support in a clockwise direction. With gorgeously showy flowers and lush foliage, it is popular because of its easy culture. The curious name ‘clock vine’ comes from the fact that it twines around a support in a clockwise direction. With gorgeously showy flowers and lush foliage,

The specific epithet is from the Latin words ‘grandis’ meaning “great” or “large” and ‘flora’ meaning “flower” in reference to the flowers which are large for the genus. The handsome Thunbergia grandiflora is a perennial evergreen plant. A rampant climber, the stems  are hardy with woody stems. With its vigorous growth tendency, it has the spreading habit.  A rapid grower, it needs support and the rope-like stems can reach to the top of large structures or even cover moderate-sized trees. The simple leaves are arranged in opposite or sub-opposite position on stems. They possess distinctive elongated heart shape varying from ovate to elliptical, often with slightly toothed margin, 10-20 cm long.  They are dark green, leathery and softly hairy.

The flowers are borne singly or in pendent racemes (drooping clusters). They are trumpet shaped, a little deeper, about 3” long, pale blue or white cup-like with pale yellow to cream blue striped centres. The fruit, which is called a capsule, is inconspicuous and not showy.

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