Blackeyed Susan Vine
Thunbergia alata
- Native to:
- Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palau, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
user:Jeffdelonge
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Acanthaceae
- Genus:
- Thunbergia
- Species:
- Thunbergia alata
- USDA Symbol:
- THAL3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- orange, yellow, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to East Africa, prefers fertile soils
Propagation & Germination
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil (21-27°C) without pretreatment.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)