Thunbergia natalensis

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Thunbergia natalensis
Thunbergia natalensis-IMG 9431.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Thunbergia
Species:
T. natalensis
Binomial name
Thunbergia natalensis

Thunbergia natalensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae, that is native to parts of mainland Africa, including South Africa (Limpopo, Mpulamanga, KwaZulu-Natal, East Cape Province), Eswatini, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. It occurs in forest margins, bush and grassland. Normally evergreen, it responds to dry or cold winters by losing its leaves and going dormant. [2] Common names include dwarf thunbergia, Natal blue thunbergia and Natal blue-bell. [3]

This handsome plant is cultivated in temperate regions for its masses of summer-flowering pale blue, trumpet-shaped blooms against dark hairy leaves. Growing to around 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, it is best displayed as groundcover in a partially-shaded position.

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References

  1. "Thunbergia natalensis". Tropicos . Missouri Botanical Garden.
  2. "Thunbergia natalensis". Wildflower Nursery. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  3. "Thunbergia natalensis". PlantZAfrica. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 30 January 2020.