Botanical Name for Black-Eyed Susan Vine. The botanical name for the black-eyed Susan vine is Thunbergia alata. The genus name, Thunbergia, is an homage to the 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Thunberg. A member of the acanthus (Acanthaceae) family, black-eyed susan vine is a frost-tender perennial that may reach lengths of up to 20 feet in warm climates. The vine is notable for its cheery yellow or orange blooms, which are marked with a dark purple or brown eye in the center.