Neel Lata / Large-Flowered Thunbergia
Thunbergia grandiflora
Also known as Bengal Trumpet, Blue Trumpet Vine, Blue Sky Vine
- Habit
- Climber
- Found in India
- Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka & more
- Flowering
- February-July
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Thunbergia grandiflora
- Genus
- Thunbergia
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Habit
- Climber
- Habitat
- Cultivated
- Habitat type
- Cultivated
- Native to
- Africa
- Distribution
- India, Myanmar, Indo-China, South China
- Found in India
- Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Telangana, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh
- Flowering & fruiting
- February-July
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Leaf arrangement
- OppositerecordedTwo leaves arise from the stem at the same point, facing each other.“The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and borne on stalks up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf shape
- OvaterecordedEgg-shaped, broader near the base.“The leaf blades are highly variable in shape, ranging from ovate and cordate to triangular or angularly lobed, and measure up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long and 15 cm (5.9 in) wide, althou” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf margin
- LobedrecordedThe edge is divided into rounded or pointed sections that don't reach the midrib.“The leaf blades are highly variable in shape, ranging from ovate and cordate to triangular or angularly lobed, and measure up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long and 15 cm (5.9 in) wide, althou” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf surface
- Glabrous (smooth, hairless)recorded
Typical of the family
Characters marked “recorded” are for Neel Lata itself; the rest are typical of the Acanthaceae family.
Flower & fruit characters
- Flower colour
- Bluerecorded
Typical of the family
- Flower symmetry
- Zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical)
- Inflorescence
- Spike
- Fruit
- Capsule
Characters marked “recorded” are for Neel Lata itself; the rest are typical of the Acanthaceae family — flowering plants only.
Local Names
- Hindi
- नील लता Neel Lata
- Nepali
- काग चुच्चे Kaag Chuchche, काग फुली Kaag Phulee, कनेसी लहरा Kanesi Laharaa
- Bengali
- নীল লতা Neel Lota, নীলবনলতা
- Tamil
- வங்காள கடிகாரக் கொடி Vankaala Katikaarak Koti, துன்பேர்சியா கிராண்டிஃப்ளோரா
- Kannada
- ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹೆಗಲ ಬಳ್ಳಿ Dodda Hegala Balli
- Malayalam
- തൻബെർജിയ ഗ്രാൻഡിഫ്ലോറ
Neel Lata in India
This vigorous climbing vine, known as नील लता Neel Lata (Hindi), வங்காள கடிகாரக் கொடி Vankaala Katikaarak Koti (Tamil), ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹೆಗಲ ಬಳ್ಳಿ Dodda Hegala Balli (Kannada), തൻബെർജിയ ഗ്രാൻഡിഫ്ലോറ (Malayalam), নীল লতা Neel Lota (Bengali), is grown for its large blue trumpet-shaped flowers. Thunbergia grandiflora is grown across Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Goa, often trained up trellises, arbours and large fences.
Uses
It's grown almost entirely as an ornamental climber, valued for quickly covering large structures and its abundant sprays of blue flowers.
How to Identify Neel Lata
A vigorous, woody-based climbing vine with heart-shaped, coarsely toothed leaves. Large, trumpet-shaped flowers in pale to deep blue-violet with a pale throat hang in loose, drooping clusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Large-flowered Thunbergia called in different Indian languages?
- नील लता Neel Lata (Hindi); வங்காள கடிகாரக் கொடி Vankaala Katikaarak Koti (Tamil); ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹೆಗಲ ಬಳ್ಳಿ Dodda Hegala Balli (Kannada); തൻബെർജിയ ഗ്രാൻഡിഫ്ലോറ (Malayalam); নীল লতা Neel Lota (Bengali).
- How fast does it grow?
- Very quickly once established — it's a vigorous woody climber capable of covering a large trellis, fence or arbour within a couple of seasons.
- Does it need strong support?
- Yes — its woody stems become heavy over time, so it needs a sturdy trellis, arbour or fence rather than delicate string supports.
Acanthaceae
Acanthus family
Neel Lata belongs to the Acanthaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
Explore the Acanthaceae family →Snap it. Know it.
Point your camera at Neel Lata or any plant and SASYA identifies it instantly — on-device, offline, and private.
Common plant problems
All plant problem & care guides →More in Acanthaceae
View all Acanthaceae →Sources: GBIF — Thunbergia grandiflora (India distribution & vernacular names) (CC BY 4.0) · Wikipedia — Thunbergia grandiflora (background/comprehension only) (CC BY-SA 4.0)