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.

Colvillea racemosa Bojer ex Hook.

Half-hardy erect tree, often with a long trunk and spreading branches, with fern-like leaves and 30cm-long droopy racemes of scarlet flowers, 4.5cm across, in autumn and winter.  To 15m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This truly splendid plant, worthy of bearing the name of his late Excellency Sir Charles Colville, Governor of the Mauritius, to whom it was dedicated by its discoverer, is probably a native of the east coast of Africa.’  It was collected by Prof. Bojer in 1824 and raised from seed in Mauritius, from there making its way to Europe.  [BM t.3325-3326/1834].

History at Camden Park

Probably short-lived in the gardens as it was listed only in the 1850 catalogue.

Notes

Published Dec 13, 2009 - 04:29 PM | Last updated Jul 18, 2010 - 05:03 PM

The illustration shows detail of the deep red flower and the seed pods.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.3326, 1834.

Colvillea racemosa Bojer ex Hook. | BM t.3326/1834 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

Madagascar

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Colvillea racemosa

Confidence level high