Tecoma capensis is a species in the genus Tecoma and belongs to the family of the Bignoniaceae (Trumpet Creeper). Previously the plant was named as Tecomaria capensis. The genus Tecomaria was changed to Tecoma by botanists based on morphology. But recent molecular studies show that Tecomaria is in fact most closely related to Podranea rather than Tecoma. The genus Tecomaria is named for its resemblance to the New World genus Tecoma. Tecoma comes Mexican name for one of the species, ‘tecomaxochitl’. The species name capensis means from the ‘Cape of SA’. Cape honeysuckle is native to Southern Africa (Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape coast) and Mozambique. It occurs in bush or scrub, occasionally on forest margins. It has been cultivated in Europe, India, Australia, Florida and the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Tecoma capensis is an evergreen, fast growing, multi-stemmed, scrambling shrub, grows to 2–3 m in height and a similar width. Scramble, meaning that it shoots out long growth tips which lean on the stems and branches of other plants, fences and walls.  Plant has opposite, pinnately compound, green leaves up to 15 cm long, with 5 to 9 leaflets. The leaflets are oblong with dentate margins. Plant may lose its leaves in colder climates.

The trumpet-shaped, 5 cm long showy flowers of Cape honeysuckle are brightly coloured, from red, deep orange, yellow to salmon. Fruits are thin, long capsules that contain many seeds that are easily dispersed by the wind. Plant may bloom all year round but mainly autumn to spring. Flowers are tubular and sunbirds pollinated.

Tecoma capensis blooms in full sun to partial shade will tolerate poor soil conditions, heat, wind and coastal conditions but moderately sensitive to frost. It can tolerate up to -5 °C. To keep the plant clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. Plants can be pruned back heavily if required and will resprout. Propagation is done by seed, from cuttings or by removing rooted suckers or runners during spring or summer.

Today there are many different colour varieties of the plant: Tecoma capensis ‘apricot’ has apricot-coloured flowers. Tecoma capensis ‘coccinea’ has tomato-red flowers. Tecoma capensis ‘lutea’ is a smaller plant with yellow flowers. Tecoma capensis ‘orange’ has dark orange flowers. Tecoma capensis ‘Rocky Horror’ has bright red flowers. Tecoma capensis ‘salmon’ has salmon-coloured flowers.

Use in Landscape: Cape honeysuckle is an ornamental garden plant commonly used for screening and decorative purposes. Can be trained into a standard or used as a screening plant, clipped into a formal hedge. It is quite tolerant of periods of drought, so well suited to water-wise gardens. May be used as a grand scale groundcover, espalier, or large formal hedge. It also is a good choice for container. Plant is often planted specifically to attract birds and butterflies.

The bark of Tecoma capensis is used in traditional medicine to relieve pain and sleeplessness, to treat bronchitis, to bring down fevers, to treat stomach pains, diarrhoea and dysentery. Leaves are also used to treat diarrhoea and gastro-enteritis.