The wonga wonga vine is a woody climbing vine with huge white tubular flowers that bloom year after year. The native people of Australia’s Central and Western deserts exploited its highly flexible timbers to make woomera-cast spears. Birds and butterflies are attracted to the blossoms of this shrub.Â
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Pandorea pandorana, commonly known as the wonga wonga vine or wonga-vine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae and is native to Australia, Malesia and the southwestern Pacific region.
Wonga wonga vine was first formally described in 1800 by English botanist Henry Cranke Andrews who gave it the name Bignonia pandorana in The Botanist’s Repository for New, and Rare Plants from specimens grown in London by Lee and Kennedy from seed collected on Norfolk Island by Colonel Paterson. In 1928 Cornelis Gijsbert Gerrit Jan van Steenis gave the species its present name. Both the generic and specific name are derived from the Greek mythological woman Pandora. The Scottish botanist Robert Brown had described it as Tecoma australis but this name was ruled invalid.
In 1862, Louis Édouard Bureau formally described Tecoma austrocaledonica in the Bulletin de la Société botanique de France, later reduced to Pandorea pandorana subsp. austrocaledonica by Peter Shaw Green, but that name is not accepted by the Australian Plant Census.
Pandorea pandorana is a glabrous woody climber or scrambler, sometimes reaching a height of 6 m (20 ft) or more. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and pinnate, those of juvenile plants 20–80 mm (0.79–3.15 in) long with eight to seventeen wavy-edged leaflets. Adult leaves have mostly three to nine egg-shaped leaflets on a petiole 10–45 mm (0.39–1.77 in) long, the leaflets 25–80 mm (0.98–3.15 in) long and 5–30 mm (0.20–1.18 in) wide on petiolules 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long.
The flowers are arranged in groups up to 220 mm (8.7 in) long with several to many thyrses. The flowers are pendent, tubular or funnel-shaped, each on a pedicel 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) long and white to cream-coloured with purple markings. The sepals are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long and joined at the base with lobes about 1 mm (0.039 in) long. The petal tube is 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) long, the tubular part more or less straight and 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) in diameter, bearded on the inside, the lobes 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long. Flowering occurs from June to December followed in summer by oblong capsules 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) wide containing a large number of winged seeds.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Position them in a spot with full sun to partial shade for optimal growth.
Watering
Originating from the subtropical regions, wonga wonga vine thrives in environments with moderate humidity and can tolerate short dry spells. This species is accustomed to a balance of moisture and has adapted to be drought-resistant to an extent. Watering should align with its natural rhythm, thus watering every week is optimal for maintaining its health. As an evergreen climber, wonga wonga vine excels outdoors where it can receive ample rainwater during its active growth cycles, contributing to its lush foliage throughout the year.
Soil
Wonga wonga vine thrive in well-drained soils and require moderate watering, making sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Fertilizing
For wonga wonga vine, a balanced nutrition fertilizer aids vigorous growth and blooming. Apply a granular, slow-release formula during the growing season, typically every 6-8 weeks. Use the recommended dose on the label, avoiding excess which can damage roots. In the growing season, increased feeding supports robust foliage and enhances flower production. Diminish fertilization in dormancy. Water soil before and after applying to ensure nutrient absorption and prevent burn. Gloves and correct dosage maintain plant safety. This regimen suits both novice and experienced gardeners, promoting a thriving wonga wonga vine.
Pruning
As vigorous climbers, wonga wonga vine benefit significantly from regular pruning to maintain their shape and promote air circulation, which is crucial in preventing fungal diseases.
Propagation
Native to Australia, wonga wonga vine is a vigorous climbing plant well-known for its showy flowers and dense foliage. To propagate wonga wonga vine, semi-hardwood cuttings are favored for their higher success rates. These cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free parent plants, ensuring several nodes are present. Dip the base in rooting hormone powder to stimulate root growth, and plant in a well-drained, sandy potting mix. Maintain consistent moisture and provide a warm environment to encourage rooting, which typically develops within a few weeks.
Transplanting
The prime time for transplanting wonga wonga vine is during the vibrant growth period of mid to late spring or early to mid-summer, providing optimal root establishment. Choose a sunny to partly shaded location with well-drained soil to foster healthy growth.
Repotting
For wonga wonga vine, a climbing vine, repotting every 2-3 years supports robust growth. Spring, before the growth spurt, is ideal, as it minimizes stress. Choose a large, sturdy container to accommodate the vigorous growth. Post-repotting, keep soil moist and provide a trellis for support. Consistent care ensures wonga wonga vine thrives, showcasing its spectacular flowers.
III. Uses and BenefitsÂ
- Uses by Indigenous Australians
The highly flexible wood of Pandorea pandorana was the most sought-after for use in woomera-cast spears among the people of the Central and Western Deserts. Its versatility allowed short pieces to be spliced together if longer ones could not be found. Due to its cultural significance, a group of mythological women with slender and flexible bodies were named after it.
