The unfortunate choice of names for the showy, tropical flowering vine Pentalinon luteum (L.) B.F. Hansen & Wunderlin 1986, also named Urechites lutea (L.) Britton 1907 is more than confusing.

Common names for the flowering vine with its trumpet-like yellow flowers are Yellow Mandevilla, but its not a Mandevilla, Yellow Dipladenia, even if its not a Dipladenia and Wild Allamanda, as its also not an Allamanda. Other names are Hammock Viper’s-tail, Lice Bush or Wild Wist. To cause even more confusion, there is another flowering vine with similar flowers, the Golden Trumpet Vine, Allamanda cathartica L. 1771, which pointy leaves are different. The Yellow Mandevilla (Pentalinon luteum) is native to Central- and South America and the Caribbean Islands, but became a popular garden plant in many tropical countries around the world. As the flowering vine is a member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) it contains a toxic milky sap. All parts of the tropical climber are poisonous and handling of the tropical plant can cause skin irritation. The fast-growing perennial vine grows up to a height of about 3 meters and more and requires full sun to partial shade and moderate watering. The flowers get a length of about 6-8 cm and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Flowering Vine Yellow Mandevilla (Pentalinon luteum)

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Flowering Vine Yellow Mandevilla (Pentalinon luteum)