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.

Ixia paniculata D.Delaroche

Half-hardy cormous perennial with erect lance-shaped leaves and branched stems bearing spikes of 5-18 pink-suffused, cream or pale yellow flowers in spring and summer.  To 90cm.  [RHSE, CECB].  

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘We are not acquainted with a tribe of plants which stand more in need of elucidation than those of this genus; of the vast numbers imported from the Cape within these few years, where they are mostly natives, and that for the most part by way of Holland, few comparatively are well ascertained; some of them appear subject to great variation, both in the size and colour of their blossoms (whether in the wild state they are thus inconstant, or whether there are seminal varieties raised by the perservering industry of the Dutch Florists, we have not yet had it in our power satisfactoralily to ascertain); others like the present one [Ixia longiflora] have their characters strongly marked, and less variable; in general they are plants of easy culture.’  [BM t.256/1794].  Also figured at BM t.1502/1812. 

Tritonia longiflora was introduced to Britain in 1774.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

First recorded in an Addendum to the 1843 catalogue and then in each subsequent edition [B.430/1843].

Notes

For further discussion of Ixias see Ixia hybrid ‘Calypso’.

Published Nov 14, 2009 - 01:38 PM | Last updated Jul 24, 2010 - 04:33 PM

Figured is a loose panicle of very long tubed white flowers with narrow segments.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.1502, 1812.

Ixia paniculata D.Delaroche | BM t.1502/1812 as Tritonia longiflora | BHL

Family Iridaceae
Category
Region of origin

South Africa, Cape district

Synonyms
  • Tritonia longiflora Ker-Gawl.
  • Ixia longiflora Soland.
  • Morphixia paniculata Bak.
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Tritonia longiflora 

Confidence level high