Tecoma capensis
Encyclopedia
Tecoma capensis, commonly known as Cape Honeysuckle, is a scrambling shrub which is native to Africa
.
Leaves are evergreen to semi-deciduous in colder climates. They are opposite, slightly serrated, green to dark-green, pinnate with 5 to 9 oblong leaflets.
Flower colour ranges from orange to orange-red to apricot and are produced at different times throughout the year. In addition, these are tubular, narrow, about 3 in (7.5 cm) long. They are grouped in terminal clusters that are 4–6 in (10–15 cm) long.
, Swaziland
and southern Mozambique
. It is cultivated in other areas of the world, such as in South-east Asia and Hawaii
. The species can be considered invasive in remote islands such as the Acores (as seen at the island of São Miguel, near Ponta Garça).
In cold areas young plants should be protected from frost. The Cape Honeysuckle can be planted in semi-shade to full sun. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.
Flowering time for this shrub is very erratic and often it flowers all year round. Flowers vary from red, deep orange, yellow to salmon. It is claimed by some that the yellow variety grows as a neater bush than the orange variety, but this is yet to be verified.
s and certain insects due to its nectar. As a scrambler, it can be quite dense (if pruned) and as such can be utilised as a nesting site by a few bird species.
The larva
e of the Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos
) and the Fulvous Hawkmoth (Coelonia mauritii) eat the leaves of this plant.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Description
It grows to about 2 to 3 metres in height and a similar width. It is normally an evergreen shrub, but 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.Leaves are evergreen to semi-deciduous in colder climates. They are opposite, slightly serrated, green to dark-green, pinnate with 5 to 9 oblong leaflets.
Flower colour ranges from orange to orange-red to apricot and are produced at different times throughout the year. In addition, these are tubular, narrow, about 3 in (7.5 cm) long. They are grouped in terminal clusters that are 4–6 in (10–15 cm) long.
Distribution
The species occur naturally in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
and southern Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. It is cultivated in other areas of the world, such as in South-east Asia and Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. The species can be considered invasive in remote islands such as the Acores (as seen at the island of São Miguel, near Ponta Garça).
Cultivation
The Cape Honeysuckle has been in cultivation for many years and is often used for hedging, as it is a scrambling shrub. It can be propagated from cuttings or by removing rooted suckers during the active growth phase.In cold areas young plants should be protected from frost. The Cape Honeysuckle can be planted in semi-shade to full sun. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.
Flowering time for this shrub is very erratic and often it flowers all year round. Flowers vary from red, deep orange, yellow to salmon. It is claimed by some that the yellow variety grows as a neater bush than the orange variety, but this is yet to be verified.
In relation to Wildlife
The Cape Honeysuckle is an excellent plant to use in a wildlife garden in Southern Africa, since it is popular with sunbirdSunbird
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are a family, Nectariniidae, of very small passerine birds. There are 132 species in 15 genera. The family is distributed throughout Africa, southern Asia and just reaches northern Australia. Most sunbirds feed largely on nectar, but also take insects and spiders,...
s and certain insects due to its nectar. As a scrambler, it can be quite dense (if pruned) and as such can be utilised as a nesting site by a few bird species.
The larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e of the Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos
Acherontia atropos
Acherontia atropos is the most widely-known of the three species of Death's-head Hawk moth. Acherontia species are notorious mainly for a vaguely skull-shaped pattern on the thorax.-Appearance:...
) and the Fulvous Hawkmoth (Coelonia mauritii) eat the leaves of this plant.