Bignoniaceae

Tecoma stans

Common Names: Yellow bells

Plant Form: Shrub or small tree. Size: Up to 8 m tall. Stem: Green and smooth ageing to pale, grooved grey-brown bark with conspicuous pale spots. Leaves: In opposite pairs on branchlets, lance shaped 2.5-10 cm long, bright green above, paler underneath. Flowers: Showy yellow trumpet-shaped 3.5-5 cm long in clusters at the branch tips or upper forks. Fruit and Seeds: Long bean-like narrow pods 10-22 cm long green ripening to brown, with papery-winged flat seeds 2 cm long. Habitat: Forest edges, riparian ares, dune scrub, agricultural land. Distinguishing Features: Without lookalikes.