Pandorea, Bower Plant

Pandorea jasminoides

pan-DOOR-ee-ah  jazz-min-OID-ees

Bignoniaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name for Pandora of Pandora’s box. Jasminoides reflects resemblance to some jasmines.

Natural range: Australia (DEH)

Recognition: Aggressive, woody, climbing vine with opposite pinnately compound leaves. Flowers funnel-shaped, white with pink throat (or white, or pink, or with cream to purple-spotted throat, depending on cultivars) (DEH)

Confusingly similar to Podranea ricasoliana, but Podranea has linear (vs. shorter and oblong) fruits and inflated (puffy) calyx (vs. nearly no calyx) (BA1).

Landscape uses: Twining vine with showy flowers, mostly in spring and fall. Useful on fences, arbors, and pergolas.

Note: This species is monoecious (DEH).