Begonia nitida Dryand. var. odorata alba
Frost-tender, shrub-like begonia with medium, glossy green leaves, paler beneath, and large clusters of fragrant, small white flowers, suspended form the upper stems, mainly in winter. To 2m. [RHSD, Hortus, Krempin].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Begonia nitida is figured in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, but this is the species, with larger pink flowers, introduced later. ‘This is one of the many handsome species of a Genus, which, we have before remarked, is not so much cultivated as it deserves to be, a native of Jamaica, and introduced to the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew (where our figure was made) by Dr. Wm. Brown, in the year 1777. It bears its large, copious, showy flowers during most of the summer months, when it makes a fine appearance, with its pink panicles, and large glossy foliage.’ [BM t.4046/1843]. According to Krempin introduced to Britain in 1813. Paxton’s and Johnson’s Dictionary give a date of 1824. MB p.123/1837. FC p.273/1846.
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.22/1850]. Macarthur purchased seed of this from Hurst and McMullen, Seedsmen and Florists of London on 8th April 1846. [MP A2933-1, p.132].
Notes
Begonia odorata Willd. (c.1822) = Begonia diptera Dryand. This is also a possibility.
Published Jun 20, 2009 - 03:24 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 04:55 PM
Begonia nitida Dryand. | BM t.4046/1843 | BHL
| Family | Begoniaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Caribbean |
| Synonyms |
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| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Begonia odorata |
| Confidence level | medium |