al-ah-MAN-dah caw-THAR-tee-cah

Apocynaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name commemorates Prof. Fr. Allamand of Leyden (BA1). Cathartica means cleansing, presumably in reference to reputed medicinal attributes of the plant.

Natural range: Tropical America

Recognition: Very commonly grown vine, often on fences, with whorled leaves and large, bright yellow tubular flowers. Differs from A. schott (A. neeriifolia), Bush Allamanda, by being more rampant (vs. bushy), by being overall larger, and by having the flowers yellow, with some white streaking (vs. golden yellow, with reddish streaking).

Cultivars include: ‘Hendersonii’ (also ‘Hendersonii Dwarf’, ‘Hendersonii Compacta’) with brown flower buds and yellow flowers (BR1). Reddish-flowered cultivars include ‘Cherries Jubilee’ and ‘Chocolate Swirl’.

Landscape uses: A large, aggressive, woody vine for a trellis or fence in bright sun.