Common Name: Black-eyed Susan vine
Black-eyed Susan vine is native to East Africa, it has been naturalized in many parts of the world. One can find this plant in all hill stations towns in Tamilnadu and Kerala. The plant typically grows over nearby vegetations and can grow up to around 4 meters. It occasionally covers ground making it look like a prostrate plant. The simple leaves are arranged in an alternate manner; the leaf stalk is winged (flat) and the leaf is triangular shaped with a cordate base. The distances between successive leafing nodes stands at around 10 cm. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 4.5 cm and 4.6 cm respectively. The leaf and the leaf stalk is covered with soft white hairs. The inflorescence is in the form of an axillary solitary flower. The flowers color can be white, crimson, yellow or orange. The lower portion of the flower is covered by 2 bracts which are oval in shape, each measuring around 2 cm. The flower has 5 petals joined below to form a tubular flower. The flower tube and flower across measure around 5 cm and 4.5 cm respectively. The calyx has several teeth and measure around 4 mm. The flower has a central prominent dark spot. The fruit is in the form of a capsule. Black-eyed Susan vine is an ornamental garden plant. Some have escaped into road-sides and forest edges. The flowers are nectar rich and much sort after by butterflies.
