08/06/2026
INVASIVE SPECIES SPOTLIGHT – TECOMA STANS (YELLOW BELLS)
At first glance, it's easy to see why Tecoma stans, commonly known as Yellow Bells or Yellow Trumpet Bush, became a popular ornamental plant. Its bright golden-yellow flowers create a spectacular display and attract bees and other pollinators.
Unfortunately, beneath that beauty lies one of South Africa's most aggressive invasive alien plant species.
Originally introduced as a garden ornamental from, Tecoma stans has escaped cultivation and now invades roadsides, riverbanks, rocky hillsides, grasslands, forests and disturbed areas across South Africa. It is classified as a Category 1 invasive species and should be controlled wherever possible.
🔍 Interesting Facts About Tecoma Stans:
✅ A mature plant can grow into a shrub or small tree reaching up to 10 metres tall.
✅ The long seed pods release hundreds of lightweight winged seeds that can be carried by the wind over considerable distances.
✅ Seed germination rates can exceed 90%, making infestations spread rapidly when left unmanaged.
✅ Cutting the plant down is often not enough. It readily coppices and regrows from the stump and roots.
✅ It is highly drought tolerant and can establish in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, making it particularly difficult to control.
✅ Dense infestations outcompete indigenous vegetation and can alter natural ecosystems.
🌱 Early identification and intervention are key to preventing costly infestations and protecting our indigenous landscapes.
At Silvichem Pty Ltd, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools in environmental management. Through these videos, we aim to help landowners, farmers, foresters and conservationists identify invasive species before they become major problems.
🎥 Watch the video below and let us know: Have you seen Tecoma stans growing on your property, farm, plantation or along roadsides in Mpumalanga?
