Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan, Thunbergia alata is a perennial vine which is native to East Africa belonging to the Acanthaceae family. It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and in hanging baskets. In Auckland, I found this growing luxuriantly on fences around housing plots.

The vine bears a profusion of orange or yellow flowers with striking dark chocolate-purple centers. The flowers are produced in mid-summer until autumn. The plant has fuzzy wrinkled heart-shaped leaves and tendrils.

The name ‘Black-eyed Susan’ is thought to have come from a character that figures in the Ballad of ‘Black-eyed Susan’ by John Gay. In the ballad, Susan goes aboard a ship in port to ask the sailors, where her lover Sweet William has gone.