Tecomaria capensis

Appearance

An erect, scrambling shrub, it grows to 2–3 m in height and a similar width. Normally evergreen, it may lose its leaves in colder climates. In certain habitats it may scramble, meaning that it shoots out long growth tips which lean on the stems and branches of other plants, as well as boulders, trellises, fences and walls; this can lead to the plant appearing untidy. The leaves are up to 15 cm long. They are opposite, slightly serrated, green to dark-green, and pinnate with 5 to 9 oblong leaflets.

Distribution

The species occurs naturally in parts of southern and central Africa, including South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola.

It is cultivated in other areas of the world, such as in South-east Asia, Hawaii, Florida, and California. It can be considered invasive in remote islands such as the Azores .

Habitat

''Tecomaria capensis'' is an excellent plant to use in a wildlife garden in Southern Africa, since it is popular with sunbirds and certain insects due to its nectar. As a scrambler, it can be quite dense and as such can be utilised as a nesting site by a few bird species.

The larvae of the death's head hawkmoth and the fulvous hawkmoth eat the leaves of this plant.