Bignoniaceae

Bignonia was named after the Abbé Bignon (1662-1743) who was librarian to Louis XIV. Trees, shrubs or climbers often with tendrils (twine anticlockwise). Leaves opposite, whorled or rarely alternate, usually compound. Flowers with distinct calyx and corolla, calyx toothed or splitting along one side. Corolla often bilabiate or with unequal lobes. Stamens epipetalous, attached at 2 different heights, 1-3 staminode(s) common. Ovary of 2 carpels, fruit usually a capsule but sometimes fleshy. Many ornamentals and some serious weeds.