Common name: Bengal Clock Vine, Bengal Trumpet Vine, Blue Sky Flower, Blue Sky Vine, Blue Trumpet Vine, नील लता Neel lata (Hindi), Tumakhlung (Gujarati), Neel lota (Bengali)
Botanical name: Thunbergia grandiflora Family: Acanthaceae (ruellia family)
The Bengal Clock Vine has been called by some "the most beautiful vine in the
world". From a distance, this twining, flowering vine looks like a
morning glory and even up close the flowers are quite similar. The curious
name clock vine comes from the fact that it twines around a support in a
clockwise direction. It is a vigorous evergreen vine
and native to northern India. From the rope-like stems, that
can reach to the top of large structure or even cover a good sized tree,
emerge the dark green leaves that are leathery and have a distinctive
elongated heart shape, 4-5 inches long and often have a
slightly toothed margin. The beautiful 3 inch wide pale blue flowers are
cup-like with pale yellow to cream blue striped centers. This plant can be in
bloom at nearly any time of year but will sulk during cold months. Plant in
full sun or in a shaded location (this vine will find the sun!) The rampant
growth of this vine can be somewhat controlled by giving or withholding
irrigation - once established it needs only be watered occasionally.
Flowering: March-November.
| Photographed in Vaghbil,
Maharashtra |
|
ative