Bengal trumpet (Thunbergia grandiflora, Bot. Reg. 6: 6 (1820))

Family: Acanthaceae

Author: (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb.

Bibliography: Bot. Reg. 6: 6 (1820)

Year: 1820

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Thunbergia

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. Nepal to S. China and Pen. Malaysia

Description

The Bengal trumpet, scientifically known as Thunbergia grandiflora, is a striking and robust perennial climber belonging to the Acanthaceae family. This vigorous vine can be predominantly found spanning from Central Nepal to Southern China and Peninsular Malaysia.

First described in the Botanical Register in 1820, Bengal trumpet was documented by the renowned botanist William Roxburgh, with its formal nomenclature credited to Roxburgh in collaboration with Rottler. The plant thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, making it a common sight in gardens and landscapes within these regions where its lush foliage and vibrant floral display add aesthetic value.

Bengal trumpet is characterized by its heart-shaped, dark green leaves, which create a dense canopy, making it an excellent choice for quickly covering trellises, walls, and fences. The plant’s most striking feature, however, is its large, trumpet-shaped flowers, which lend it its common name. These blooms typically exhibit a captivating blue to lavender hue, with a creamy white throat, and tend to attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, further enhancing its appeal in garden settings.

In addition to its ornamental qualities, Thunbergia grandiflora is relatively easy to grow, demanding minimal maintenance once established. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, though it flourishes best when provided with plenty of sunlight. This adaptability, coupled with its rapid growth rate and natural beauty, makes the Bengal trumpet a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers looking to add a touch of the tropics to their outdoor spaces.

Common Names

Eng: bengal clockvine, bengal trumpet, blue skyflower, blue thunbergia, blue trumpetvine, clockvine, skyflower, skyvine, thunbergia
Deu: bengalische thunbergie
Por: tumbérgia-azul
En: Bengal trumpet, Bengal clock vine, Blue sky vine, Blue trumpet vine, Clockvine, Bengal clockvine, Blue skyflower, Blue thunbergia, Blue trumpetvine, Skyflower, Skyvine, Thunbergia
Ar: تونبرغية كبيرة الأزهار
Bn: নীলবনলতা
Zh: 大鄧伯花
Nl: Grootbloemige thunbergia
Fi: Kellosusanna
De: Großblütige Thunbergia, Bengalische Thunbergie
Ml: തൻ‌ബെർ‌ജിയ ഗ്രാൻ‌ഡിഫ്ലോറ
Ne: काग चुच्चे
Pt: Tumbérgia-azul
Ru: Тунбергия крупноцветковая
Zh-tw: 大鄧伯花
Th: สร้อยอินทนิล
Vi: Dây bông xanh

Synonyms

• Pleuremidis grandiflora ((Roxb.) Raf.)
• Thunbergia grandiflora var. axillaris (C.B.Clarke)
• Thunbergia clarkei (T.Yamaz.)
• Thunbergia grandiflora var. cordiflora (Benoist)
• Thunbergia grandiflora f. citrina (Leonard)
• Thunbergia chinensis (Merr.)
• Thunbergia cordifolia (Nees)
• Thunbergia talbotiae (S.Moore)
• Flemingia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler)
• Thunbergia grandiflora var. racemosa (Nees)
• Thunbergia grandiflora f. alba (Leonard)
• Thunbergia malvifolia (Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.)
• Thunbergia lacei (Gamble)
• Thunbergia adenophora (W.W.Sm.)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Laos (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 7, 2014 by richard gautier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2019 by Andrade Diogo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2020 by Ramos Norma Suely (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Julien Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2022 by Adèle Gael (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Garcia Francisco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Garcia Francisco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Al Ortiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Teo Andrade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Julien Champ (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Ricardo Matheus Pires Ricardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2022 by Rodrigo Fernandez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2020 by Mora-Fallas Adán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2021 by pantoja rodrigo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Sato Marilia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2020 by alain suissa (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 22, 2020 by Morais Mabilda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2019 by Vargas A Lorenzo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Lothar Jantzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Lothar Jantzen (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5415456)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:117460-3)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottl.) Roxb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine

Growth