Black-Eyed Susan – Thunbergia alata

Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan

Botanical Name: Thunbergia alata, thun-BER-ji-a a-LAY-ta

Decorative Life: Can flower for many weeks in the landscape.

Flower Color: Orange, Purple, Red, White, Yellow

Availability: Summer

• Is a member of the Acanthaceae (acanthus) family with common relatives including Crossandra, Aphelandra, Fittonia and Beloperone (shrimp plant).
• Native to Tropical Africa.

• Is a twining perennial, but often grown as an annual.
• Leaves are to 3 inches, ovate to cordate, margins dentate, and petiole winged.

• Genus named after Dr. Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1822), who traveled in Japan and Java, eventually becoming a Professor of Botany at the University of Uppsala. While studying medicine, he became fascinated with the work of Linnaeus and thereafter concentrated on plants.
• Specific epithet “alata” in reference to its winged petioles.
• Will easily flower the first year from seed.
• Most often grown as a frost tender annual but can over winter in warmer areas. If grown as a perennial, spring pruning is generally in order.

To date, no postharvest literature has been uncovered for this species.