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.

Metternichia princeps Miers

Frost tender, compact, evergreen, freely branching shrub with terminal and axillary racemes of campanulate white flowers with greenish tubes, in summer.  Usually to 1m in cultivation, to 8m in the wild.  [RHSD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A Brazilian genus, named in compliment to the distinguished Austrian Prince Metternich-Winneburg, of Ochsenhausen, etc.  Its author and discoverer, Mikan, describes the flowers as inodorous, whereas with us they are powerfully and deliciously fragrant, the greatest charm perhaps the plant possesses; for though the flowers are large, they are not showy, not more so than Portlandia, or other white corollas whose tubes have a tinge of green.  Mikan referred the genus to Convolvulaceae, Meisner to Bignoniaceae, Lindley and Miers (with more propriety) to Solanaceae, and the latter to a separate group, which he calls “Metternichiae,” along with Sessea and Cestrum.  There is probably but one species.  Dunal takes up, indeed, M. aminis of Presl, but as something more than doubtful; and he has a “Metternichia ? megalandra,” -querying the genus,- a Colombian plant of Moritz (n. 827).  M. Principis flowers with us, in the stove, in August.’  [BM t.4747/1853].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.681/1850].

Notes

Published Feb 27, 2010 - 05:09 PM | Last updated Feb 27, 2010 - 05:15 PM

Figured are ovate-lanceolate leaves and terminal cyme of trumpet-shaped white flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.4747, 1853.

Metternichia princeps Miers | BM t.4747/1853 | BHL

Family Solanaceae
Category
Region of origin

Brazil

Synonyms
  • Metternichia principis Mikan
  • Lisianthus ophiorrhiza Vell. 
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Metternichia princeps 

Confidence level high