Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Clematis azurea Hort.

Clematis azurea is figured in the Floricultural Cabinet: ‘This very handsome flowering species has been lately introduced in this country.’  [FC p.265 and 298/1836].  It is figured with bright blue flowers.  This is probably Macarthur’s plant.  It’s identity is not known but it is probably an early garden cultivar or hybrid, possibly a blue flowered form of Clematis viticella L.

Horticultural & Botanical History

No additional data.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.318/1845].  A plant was presented to the Sydney Botanic Garden by William Macarthur on September 15th 1847 [RBGS AB].

Notes

Macarthur’s ‘Clematis azurea’ is unlikely to be Clematis heracleifolia DC., which see, a Chinese species, synonyms Clematis azurea Hort. and Clematis tubulosa Hook.  According to Johnson’s Dictionary it was introduced to Britain in 1845, probably too early to be the Camden plant. 

Published Mar 08, 2009 - 04:36 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 05:55 PM

The figure shows 4 plants including a Clematis with a bright blue, single flower.  Floricultural Cabinet p.265, 1836.

Clematis azurea Hort. | FC p.265/1836 | BHL.  Clematis azurea is at top left.

Family Ranunculaceae
Category
Region of origin

Unknown

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Clematis azurea 

Confidence level low