TECOMAS 



Natural Order Bignoniace^. Genus Tecoma 



Tecoma (contraction of the Mexican word Tecomaxochitl, which, how- 

 ever, belongs to a species of Solandra). A genus of about two dozen 

 trees and climbers, with the characters of Bignonia, from which they 

 are separated by the lack of tendrils, and by the partition of the capsule 

 being opposed to the valves, whilst in Bignonia it is parallel with them. 

 They are natives of the wanner and Sub-temperate Regions of the globe. 

 Principals ecies Tecoma australis (Southern). The Wonga-wonga 



■ Vine. Stem tall, woody, climbing. Leaflets five to nine, 

 varying from oval-oblong to very slender, with rounded teeth or entire 

 margins. Flowers yellowish white, tinged with red ; in loose terminal 

 panicles ; June. Introduced from New South Wales, 1793. Also known 

 as Bignonia pandorea. T. jasminioides resembles this, but has larger 

 and more attractive flowers. It is a popular greenhouse climber. 



T. CAPENSis (Cape of Good Hope.) Stem climbing, smooth, 15 to 30 

 feet. Leaflets nine, oval, toothed. Flowers orange-scarlet, 2 inches 

 long, curved in racemes ; August. Introduced from South Africa, 1823. 

 Also known as Bignonia capensis. Often planted to form a fence, for 

 which purpose it is kept clipped like a Thorn. 



T. GRANDIFLORA (large-flowered). Stem smooth, climbing, 30 feet 

 high. Leaflets seven to eleven, oval, toothed. Flowers scarlet, in a 

 terminal panicle ; July. Half-hardy shrub (hardy at Kew). Introduced 

 from China, 1800. Also known as Bignonia grandiflora. 



T. RADICANS (rooting). Common Trumpet Flower. Stem climbing, 

 25 feet, supporting itself by rootlets from the joints. Leaflets nine or 

 eleven, oval, toothed. Flowers orange and scarlet, similar to T. 

 grandifiora, but with longer tube and narrower mouth ; 2 to 3 inches 

 long; June to September. Hardy shrub. Introduced from North 

 America, 1640. Also known as Bignonia radicans. The var. minor 

 has more slender scarlet flowers. 



T. Smithii (Smith's). Supposed to bo a liybrid between T. stans and 

 T. capensis. It has sturdy stems, pinnate leaves, and large, erect, terminal 

 panicles of deep yellow flowers which are developed in winter. Intro- 

 duced from Australia, 1889. 



T. radicans and T. grandiflora are hardy in the 



South of England. They should be grown against a south 



The others require greenhouse treatment, and should be given as 



