Native in tropical Africa, Tecoma capensis subsp. nyassae has a longer calyx than southern species Tecoma capensis subsp. capensis; over 10mm compared to up to 8mm. Also the tropical specimens can be easily recognised by their more vigourous growth and larger leaves with more and larger leaflets. T. capensis subsp. nyassae tends to grow as a tree, reaching heights of up to 7m, where as T. capensis subsp. capensis grows more as a shrub (Brummitt, 1974). T. capensis is described by Whistler (2000; pp. 451-452; as seen in PIER, 2010) as \"a vine-like shrub or shrub. Leaves odd-pinnately compound, opposite, leaflets of five to nine, blades ovate to round, 1-4 cm long with toothed margins. It flowers continuously through the year; flowers several, borne in short terminal racemes or narrow panicles. Corolla of fused petals, funnel-shaped, curved, 4-6 cm long, two-lipped with five oblong spreading lobes, bright orange or scarlet. Fruit are narrow linear capsules 7-18 cm long, containing many winged seeds\"

Brummitt (1974) notes that eight species have been described in the Tecomaria genus, divided into five northen species and three southern species. Brenan (1954; as decribed in Brummitt, 1974) sunk the five northern species into one, T. nyassae (Oliv.) K. Schum., and White (1962; as described in Brummitt, 1974) sunk the three southern species into T. capensis (Thunb.) Spach.

Tecoma capensis is typically used for ornamental purposes (Healy, 1958; Queensland Herbarium, 2002; Dawson et al, 2008).

Tecoma capensis thrives in wet or dry areas and prefers a well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5\" (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 189; as seen in PIER, 2010).

Tecoma capensis reproduces via both seed and runner (which root wherever they touch the ground) (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 189; as seen in PIER, 2010)

Various countries have identified Tecoma capensis in their invasive species plans; Anguilla, Australia and New Zealand. Specific actions have been identified to contain the species on the island of Rangitoto in Auckland, New Zealand (Wotherspoon & Wotherspoon, 2002). In Tanzania the species is found to have spread from unknown introduction around the Amani Botanical Gardens (Dawson et al, 2008). Evidence from this study and from studies in New Zealand (Healy, 1958) and Queensland, Australia (Queensland Herbarium, 2002) suggests that the species spreads and becomes naturalised from being planted as an ornamental within landscaped areas.

Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Tecoma capensis for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system is derived from Pheloung et al. (1999) with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands (Daehler et al. 2004). The result is a score of 6 and a recommendation of: \"Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or other parts of the world.\"

Several other countries, Anguilla, Australia and New Zealand, have identified T. capensis within their invasive species plans. Specific actions have been identified to contain the species on the island of Rangitoto in Auckland, New Zealand (Wotherspoon & Wotherspoon, 2002). This includes containing the species to a zero-density over 5 years, and eradicating the species over a long-term of 15 years (Wotherspoon & Wotherspoon, 2002).

The Queensland Herbarium has created a \"ranked list\" of \"Invasive Naturalised Plants in Southeast Queensland\". T. capensis is ranked 166, with an invasiveness score of 4 out of 5 (5 highest; 3 moderate) and described as a small tree that has escaped from ornamental and landscape conditions (Queensland Herbarium, 2002)