Tecomaria capensis – Cape honeysuckle – Kaapse kanferfoelie – Umsilingi

A shrub that is normally evergreen but may lose leaves in colder climates. Despite the common name Cape honeysuckle, this species it is not closely related to the true honeysuckle, Lonicera spp. The species name capensis means ‘of or from the Cape’, referring to the native range in the Cape of South Africa. The genus name Tecoma is derived from tecomaxachitl, the Mexican name for one of the related species.
Its pinnately compound glossy leaves have oval leaflets with blunt teeth. Flowering time for this shrub is very erratic and it often flowers all year round. Flowers are tubular in showy many-flowered heads and vary in colour from red, deep orange, yellow to salmon. Tecomaria capensis is perfectly suited to our rugged climate. It may grow up to 2 – 3 m tall with a spread of approximately 2.5 m.
This species attracts and is pollinated by nectar-feeding birds, especially sunbirds. The flowers are also visited by honeybees and butterflies. Seeds have 2 membranous wings and are dispersed by wind.
Although the multiple branches give the plant an untidy appearance, they provide ideal nesting spots for birds. An added attraction is the clusters of tubular flowers that appear at the ends of branches which entice birds and butterflies to the garden. The shrub tolerates poor soil conditions, heat, wind, drought, and coastal conditions.

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