Acanthaceae is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing almost 250 genera and about 2500 species. Most are tropical herbs, shrubs, or twining vines; some are epiphytes. Only a few species are distributed in temperate regions. The four main centres of distribution are Indonesia and Malaysia, Africa, Brazil, and Central America. Representatives of the family can be found in nearly every habitat, including dense or open forests, scrublands, wet fields and valleys, sea coast and marine areas, swamps, and mangrove forests.
Strobilanthes is a genus of about 350 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia. Many species are cultivated for their two-lipped, hooded flowers in shades of blue, pink, white and purple. Most are frost-tender and require protection in frost-prone areas. The genus is most famed for its many species which bloom on long cycles of several years, such as Strobilanthes wightii which blooms every thirteen years.
Terminalia is a genus of large trees of the flowering plant family Combretaceae, comprising nearly 300 species distributed in tropical regions of the world. The genus name derives from the Latin word terminus, referring to the fact that the leaves appear at the very tips of the shoots.
Cissus is a genus of approximately 350 species of lianas in the grape family (Vitaceae). They have a cosmopolitan distribution, though the majority are to be found in the tropics.
Thunbergia mysorensis, the Mysore trumpetvine or lady's slipper vine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. A woody-stemmed evergreen, this vine is native to southern tropical India. The specific epithet mysorensis is derived from the city of Mysore.
Thunbergia alata, commonly called black-eyed Susan vine, is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant species in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to Eastern Africa, and has been naturalized in other parts of the world.
Thunbergia laurifolia, the laurel clockvine or blue trumpet vine, is native to India and Thailand and the Indomalayan realm, the species occurs from Indochina to Malaysia.
Iresine is a genus of flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae. It contains 20 to 25 species, all of which are native to the American tropics. The generic name is derived from the Greek word εριος (erios), meaning "wooly", referring to the trichome-covered flowers. Bloodleaf is a common name for those species that have colored foliage, and these are often cultivated as ornamental plants. Some species are additives to versions of the hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca.
Fagraea is a genus of plants in the family Gentianaceae. It includes trees, shrubs, lianas, and epiphytes. They can be found in forests, swamps, and other habitat in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, with the center of diversity in Malesia.
Salacia is a genus of plants in the family Celastraceae. They are woody climbers naturally found in tropical regions.
Cryptostegia is a genus of flowering plants native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. The genus is in the family Apocynaceae.
Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anders., commonly known as the bush clock vine or king's mantle, is a vibrant, evergreen shrub that belongs to the family Acanthaceae. Native to the forest zone stretching from Guinea-Bissau to Western Cameroon, it has found significant cultivation worldwide due to its ornamental appeal and versatility. The plant is particularly known for its erect or scandent growth habit, reaching a notable height of up to five meters or more. This robust shrub displays a fascinating range of pale to dark violet-purple flowers that contribute to its visual appeal and broad popularity. Each flower measures between 5.0 to 7.5 cm in length, hosting a stark white tube at their core. This striking color contrast lends an undeniable charm to the plant, making it a favored choice in various garden settings and landscapes.
Thunbergia grandiflora is an evergreen vine in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indochina and Myanmar and widely naturalised elsewhere. Common names include Bengal clockvine, Bengal trumpet, blue skyflower, blue thunbergia, blue trumpetvine, clockvine, skyflower and skyvine.
Thunbergia fragrans, the whitelady is a perennial climbing twiner in the family Acanthaceae, native to South and Southeast Asia and China.
Thunbergia gregorii, commonly known as orange clockvine or orange trumpet vine, is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant species in the family Acanthaceae, native to East Africa and sometimes cultivated as an ornamental vine. The bright, pure all-orange flowers distinguish it from the related black-eyed Susan vine.
Erycibe is a genus of plants in the family Convolvulaceae, found in the Andaman Islands, Sri Lanka, India including Assam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, east Himalaya, southern and southeastern China including Hainan and Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Malesia, Papuasia, Australia, and Japan including the Ryukyu Islands.
Bonnaya antipoda is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to Linderniaceae family. It is native to tropical and sub-tropical Asia and Australia.
In gardening, the term free-flowering is used to describe flowering plants that have a long bloom time and may often lack a defined blooming season, whereby producing flowers profusely over an extended period of time, at times all-year round. The terms long-flowering and long-blooming are also used for perennial plants that bloom for much of the year.
