Tecomaria capensis
Tecomaria capeensis, commonly known as the Cape Tecoma, is a resilient flowering shrub native to Southern Africa. Valued in traditional medicine, its leaves and flowers are often utilized for their therapeutic properties. This hardy plant is celebrated both for its vibrant blooms and its potential pharmacological benefits in herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Tecomaria capensis
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tecomaria and the specific species Tecomaria capensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Bignoniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tecomaria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Tecomaria capensis, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is called 铁角凌霄, with the simplified form 铁角凌霄 used in mainland China and the traditional form 鐵角凌霄 used in Taiwan. In Arabic, its name is transliterated as تيكوماريا كابينسيس, while in Japanese, it is commonly known as ヒメノウゼンカズラ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 铁角凌霄 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 铁角凌霄 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 鐵角凌霄 | Wikidata |
| ar | تيكوماريا كابينسيس | Wikidata |
| ja | ヒメノウゼンカズラ | Wikidata |
| zh | 硬骨凌霄 | Wikidata |
| af | Kaapse Kanferfoelie | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct Mediterranean regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing within the Balearic Islands as well as throughout mainland Spain. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically documented in Italy. Moving toward Northern Africa, the species is also established in Algeria. Finally, its range encompasses the coastal areas of Tunisia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tecomaria capensis, is characterized by its vibrant and showy flowers, which are central to its visual appeal and biological function. These trumpet-shaped blooms are typically bright orange or red and are arranged in dense clusters at the ends of the branches. Beyond their aesthetic beauty, the flowers serve as a vital nectar source for various pollinators, such as sunbirds, making them an essential component of the plant's reproductive cycle and its role within its ecosystem.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |