Macfadyena unguis-cati

I have seen this plant growing in the Caribbean so it might surprise some to hear Macfadyena unguis-cati also survives outdoors in the UK.  However it does require a warm wall in good light to flower well outdoors. Under glass it is a very vigorous evergreen climber which attaches to its support by tendrils each of which have three claw like hooks at the end. The flowers which appear in early summer are large, bright yellow and trumpet shaped and followed by long seed pods a spectacular sight. Although damage to the leaves may occur below -3c it is unlikely to die as it is able to regenerate from its large bulbous root system.