Sunday, May 6, 2012

Dolls' Shoes

Thunbergia mysorensis
I have discovered a beautiful vine. I saw it last year at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, as well as this year. And then, recently, I saw it at the New York Botanical Garden. It is so interesting. Its common names include Indian Clock Vine, Lady's Slipper Vine, and Dolls' Shoes.




Vines hanging down the wall at Matthaei


















I can certainly see the concept of  lady's slippers and dolls' shoes in the flowers. It appears that fairies have hung their slippers up together on a string. Thunbergia mysorensis is an evergreen climbing vine, found in Southern Spain and India. The mysorensis is derived from the city of Mysore in India. It can grow up to 20' and in its natural habitat it is attractive to hummingbirds.
At Matthaei it hangs down from a wall and at the New York Botanical Garden, there is a huge arch of them. The whole arch is dripping in yellow and burgundy flowers. 
Isn't it a gorgeous vine?




An arch of them at the New York Botanical Garden




Arch of Dolls' Slippers at the New York Botanical Garden.
Fountain in front of arch at New York Botanical Garden.

Matthaei

Matthaei



1 comment:

  1. Thank you ! These look great ! Where can one buy these vines ? vgulati_us@yahoo.com

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