Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach.

Frost tender, erect, scrambling, evergreen shrub with slender stems, 5-7 toothed, slender leaflets per leaf and racemes of slender, tubular, orange to scarlet flowers, up to 7cm long, in summer.  To 7m.  [RHSE, Hilliers’, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, whence seeds were sent to Kew by Mr. Bowie in 1823.  A hardy greenhouse plant of great beauty.  [BR f.1117/1828]. 

‘It is a climbing plant of free growth, and produces its rich and beautiful flowers in September and October.’  [LBC No. 1672/1830].  Don suggests a date of introduction of 1783 but is probably referring to herbarium specimens.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.154/1843].  Well established in the gardens, to the point of being a weed.

Notes

Occasionally naturalised in parts of coastal NSW [FNSW].

Published Feb 27, 2009 - 03:13 PM | Last updated Jul 15, 2010 - 02:01 PM

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Shown are the toothed, slender leaflets and raceme of tubular, orange and scarlet flowers. Botanical Register f.1117, 1828.

Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach. | BR f.1117/1828 | BHL

Family Bignoniaceae
Category
Region of origin

Southern Africa
Synonyms
  • Bignonia capensis Thunb.
  • Tecoma capensis (Thunb.) Lindl.
  • Tecoma petersii Klotzsch
Common Name

Cape honeysuckle
Name in the Camden Park Record

Bignonia capensis 
Confidence level high