Aeschynanthus parasiticus (Roxb.) Wallich.

Horticultural & Botanical History

It was introduced from India to Chatsworth House by John Gibson, collector to the Duke of Devonshire, in 1837.  Edwards’ Botanical Register doubted that grandiflorus was a separate species: ‘That it is the A. parasiticus of Wallich is certain; and consequently it is in all probability the Incarvillea parasitica of Roxburgh.’  [BR f.49/1841].  ‘It has been considered a parasite, but that this is an erroneous impression, and that this species [grandiflorus] is a true epiphyte, is sufficiently proved by the fact of its thriving equally as well on dead as on living branches; thus demonstrating that it derives its support solely from atmospheric sources.’  [MB p.241/1838].  Sweet’s Ornamental Flower Garden commented that ‘of all the stove plants in cultivation this is one of the handsomest and the most easy to manage.’  [OFG f.133/1854].  BM t.4891/1856.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.30/1850].  Requested of Loddiges’ Nursery on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1 p.185] and obtained from them, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King.  [ML A1980-3].  ‘Aeschynanthus, any good species’ was also included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley 15th Feb. 1848 [MP A2933-1 p.157] and to Kew at about this time [MP A2933-1 p.165] but not recorded as arrived.  It was requested again of Kew on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1 p.177] and of Lindley again on the same date [MP A2933-1 p.182a].  

Notes

See also Aeschynanthus ramosissima Wall.