Felder Rushing
Family
Bignoniaceae
Botanical Name
Plant Common Name
Bignonia Family
General Description
This largely tropical plant family comprises some 800 species of often showy-flowered vines, trees, and shrubs. Most members of the Bignoniaceae inhabit South America, but a few are of North American or Old World origin. Many are cultivated as garden or greenhouse ornamentals, and a few are grown for timber.
The opposite or whorled leaves of these woody plants are palmately or pinnately compound (with leaflets in a finger- or feather-like arrangement), or sometimes simple. The showy, five-petaled, funnel- or bell-shaped flowers are borne in flat or elongated clusters. The tip of each bloom usually flares into five lobes. Insects, hummingbirds, or bats visit and pollinate the nectar-laden blooms. Most species produce elongated, two-valved, bean-like fruits containing numerous winged seeds. Self-sowing is common.
Most Bignoniaceae – including Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper), Bignonia capreolata (cross vine), and Tecomaria capensis (Cape honeysuckle) – are vigorous showy-flowered vines that climb by clinging tendrils or rootlike holdfasts. A few (such as cat-claw, Macfadyena unguis-cati) have spine-tipped tendrils. Non-vining Bignoniaceae (including species of Jacarandra, Catalpa, and Tabebuia) are mostly medium to large trees cultivated for ornament or lumber.
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical, Vine
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
