Thunbergia alata

Bojer ex Sims

Black-eyed-Susan vine

Acanthaceae Edible: Leaves, Vegetable, Seeds - flavouring Potential hazards — see below 24,565 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

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. It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and in hanging baskets. The name 'Black-eyed Susan' is thought to have come from a character that figures in many traditional ballads and songs. In the Ballad of Black-eyed Susan by John Gay, Susan goes aboard a ship in-dock to ask the sailors where her lover Sweet William has gone. Black-eyed Susan is also a name given to other species of flowers in the genus Rudbeckia.

Description

An evergreen twining climber. It keeps growing from year to year but is often grown as an annual plant. It grows 2.5 m high but is shorter if grown as an annual. The stems are slender, weak and twining. It winds to the right. The leaves are oval or triangular shaped with teeth along the edge. The are mid green colour. Leaves are 8 cm long with angular lobes at the base of the leaf. The leaf stalks have narrow wings. The flower has a long tube but spreads out at the top. The flowers are produced singly in the axils of the leaves. Many flowers are produced. Flowers are 3-4 cm across. They are usually bright orange-yellow. They can have a chocolate coloured centre. The petals can be white. Fruit are round 2-celled capsules. There can be 1-2 seeds in each cell. The seeds are irregularly ribbed on the back.

Edible Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The seeds have been used as flavouring in relishes and chutneys.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Caution: The leaves can contain poisonous compounds. The seeds have been used as flavouring in relishes and chutneys.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are used as a drink for diarrhoea.

Known Hazards

The leaves can contain poisonous compounds.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It occurs naturally in tropical Africa. It needs a temperature above 7°C. It is damaged by drought and frost. It does best with a well-drained soil and a protected sunny position. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it rrows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa*, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Brazil, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Niue, Pacific, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Samoa, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Tonga, Uganda, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. The seed are sown 6 mm deep. The seedlings can be transplanted. Plants should be spaced 30 cm apart. It is grown as an annual plant in temperate climates.

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings.

Other Uses

The fruit resembles a diminuitive gourd and is used as such in play and as a spinning top by the children. The plant grows well as part of a hedge, responding well to trimming.

Production

It is fast growing.

Other Information

The leaves are only recorded as eaten in a few places. They are also used as a drink for diarrhoea.

Notes

There are about 200 Thunbergia species. It is sometimes used as a ground cover in plantations.

Synonyms

Endomelas alata (Bojer ex Sims) Raf.Thunbergia aurantiaca Paton?

Also Known As

Akar ulan, Gisaayuura, Karkakubu, Krilata tunbergija, Matamavu

References (35)

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Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 1010

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