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.

Ixora odorata Hook.

Tender evergreen shrub with broadly lance-shaped leaves and large panicles of very fragrant white flowers, ageing to yellow-brown, in spring.  To 90cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘We have been much gratified by the sight of a noble specimen of this splendid and highly odoriferous shrub.  The leaves vie in size and almost in firmness of texture with those of the Indian Caoutchouc Tree (Ficus elastica), while the numerous flowers, of the most delicious odour, form a spreading panicle, a foot or more in diameter, with deep red-purple branches, each blossom four to five inches in length, the tube red below, white above, the white buds tipped with rose-colour, the spreading segments of the limb white, soon twisted and then changing to buff.  The plant is in the possession of Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co., of the Exeter Nursery, who received it from the Continent under the incorrect name of Ixora Brunonis, and without any indication of its locality.  Fortunately I have a fine native specimen from Madagascar, showing that to be its native country.’  [BM t.4191/1845].  Introduced to Britain in 1844.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley dated 15th February 1848, but Macarthur’s copy not endorsed ‘arrived’ [A2933-1, p.157].  It was also requested of Kew Gardens on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.177] and of Lindley again on the same date [MP A2933-1, p.182a].

Notes

Ixora odorata Boerl. (1891) = Pavetta odorata Blume

Ixora odorata Spreng. (1824) = Coffea odorata G.Forst.

Published Feb 08, 2010 - 03:34 PM | Last updated Feb 08, 2010 - 03:40 PM

Shown are ovate leaves and corymb of small white to yellow flowers with pink stalks.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.4191, 1845.

Ixora odorata Hook. | BM t.4191/1845 | BHL

Family Rubiaceae
Category
Region of origin

Madagascar

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Ixora odorata 

Confidence level high