Thunbergia

Thunbergia
Flowers of Thunbergia alata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Thunbergioideae
Genus: Thunbergia
Retz. (1780)
Diversity
c. 150 species
Synonyms
  • Diplocalymma Spreng. (1822)
  • Endomelas Raf. (1838)
  • Flemingia Roxb. ex Rottler (1803), nom. rej.
  • Hexacentris Nees (1832)
  • Pleimeris Raf. (1838)
  • Pleuremidis Raf. (1838)
  • Schmidia Wight (1852)
  • Valentiana Raf. (1814)

Thunbergia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. It includes 150 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. Thunbergia species are vigorous annual or perennial vines and shrubs growing to 2–8 m tall. The generic name honours the Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828).

Its members are known by various names, including thunbergias and clockvine. Thunbergia on its own usually refers to Thunbergia grandiflora, while Thunbergia alata is often known as black-eyed Susan vine or just black-eyed Susan (not to be confused with other flowers called black-eyed Susan). Orange clockvine is the name of Thunbergia gregorii.

Thunbergias are frequent garden escapes, becoming invasive species; T. grandiflora, T. fragrans, and T. laurifolia are considered weeds in Australia.