35 HEIRLOOM Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) SEEDS Thunbergia alata, commonly called Black-eyed Susan vine, is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant species in the Acanthaceae family. It is native to Eastern Africa, and has been naturalized in other parts of the world. It is found in Cerrado vegetation of Brazil and Hawaii, along with eastern Australia and the southern USA in the states of Texas and Florida.[1] It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and in hanging baskets. The name 'Black-eyed Susan' is thought to have come from a character that figures in many traditional ballads and songs. In the Ballad of Black-eyed Susan by John Gay, Susan goes aboard a ship in-dock to ask the sailors, where her lover Sweet William has gone. Black-eyed Susan is also a name given to another species of flowers - Rudbeckia. Description Depending on the conditions,Thunbergia alata grows to a height of 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) in tropical zones, but much less as a container plant or as an annual. It has twinning stems with heart or arrow-shaped leaves.[2] It favours sun to partial shade and the flowers, though typically a warm orange can range through red, orange, red-orange and bright yellow with the characteristic chocolate-purple centre which inspires the common name FREE GIFT WITH EVERY SEED ORDER