Thunbergia alata Bojer ex Sims, Black-eyed Susan Vine
Thunbergia alata (Black-eyed Susan Vine) or Sphagneticola trilobata (Wedelia or Bay Biscayne Creeping Oxeye)?
Neighbors have been stopping to ask what that incredible "daisy vine" is growing around the front SE corner of the property. It is actually two species, each with its own issues for the Florida gardener.
The creeping oxeye or wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata) is a member of the Asteraceae or daisy family. Native to tropical America, the plant has been introduced to tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Like other members of its family, creeping oxeye blooms with an inflorescence of sterile ray flowers and fertile disk flowers—a 'daisy'. But unlike most other 'daisies', this daisy also reproduces by stolons—runners that root at the nodes.
Wedelia Jacq. Or Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski
Bay Biscayne Creeping Oxeye
Those stolons are the ruin of any gardener who makes the mistake of letting this species run wild. The plant, used in South America to treat symptoms of colds and flu and to reduce fevers and inflammations reduces ungloved hands to painful swelling and bleeding in short order.
Chinese botanists discovered that creeping oxeye has an allelopathic (defensive chemical) effect reducing the vigor of neighboring plants and. . .well. . .as noted above it leaves the Florida gardener frustrated, at best.
I find a pair of sharp, stainless steel scissors (not designed for the garden) is the best way to control Oxeye. I toss the clippings out in the hot sun and hope that they don't take root before being vaporized by the strong Florida sun.
Follow Phillip
on instagram
on facebook
on twitter
on YouTube
Contrast Oxeye with Thunbergia (Black-eyed Susan vine), a tropical evergreen twining vine native to tropical areas of East Africa. This vine eventually climbs to 20’ in frost free areas. As an annual, it will grow to 3-8’ tall in a single season. Features ovate-triangular toothed green leaves (to 3” long) and solitary axillary salverform orange-yellow flowers (to 2” long) with 5 spreading petal lobes and dark throats. Blooms in summer to fall, but best bloom is often in late summer and fall after the hot summer temperatures moderate. A number of different cultivars are available with white, creamy white, light yellow and sulphur yellow flowers. Genus name honors Carl Peter Thunberg, 18th century Swedish botanist.
In Florida both of these species are year-round bloomers except in the rare year that produces cold temperatures low enough to induce frost.
Thunbergia has no stolons and no allelopathic characteristics so it is not as hardy as Oxeye. I've found snipping a handful of Thunbergia and tossing it where I'd like the vine to grow, is an effective way of propagating its seeds.
In combination they make a stunning garden display but neither species are likely to delight the part-time gardener.
Plant either or both with extreme caution.
We're Following:
James Yates
Contact: Jamesyates10192@icloud.com
No comments:
Post a Comment