Brunfelsia calycina Benth. var. confertiflora

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘We continue the genus Franciscea, as sanctioned by Mr. Miers, in the fifth volume, new series, of ‘Annals of Natural History,’ for the blue-flowered species of Brunsfelsia, though we fear Mr. Bentham’s views of the unsoundness of the generic distinction are too true.  We find the present plant figured and described by Mr.Henfrey in the ‘Magazine of Botany,’ under the name of F. confertiflora, and the only synonym given is the Brunsfelsia confertifora of Mr. Bentham, a species with which we are familiar, and of which there exists a splendid figure in Pohl’s ‘Plantarum Brasiliarum Icones:’ but the figure and description are totally at variance with our plant.  It is unquestionably the F. (Brunsfelsia) calycina of Bentham, figured, characteristically enough, in the ‘Flora Fluminensis,’ and well distinguished by the large inflated calyx and other characters.  As we are indebted for our plant to Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co., Exeter Nursery, who received it from Belgium.’  [BM t.4583/1851].

Paxton’s Magazine of Botany figured it under the name Franciscea acuminata: ‘Conspicuous for a great symmetry and elegance of habit, which in conjunction with its numerous acuminate leaves, bunches of violet-blue flowers, the latter borne with tolerable freedom, and on plants of very small dimension, invest it with a well-merited share of interest.  We know of no genus of stove plants more appropriate for a small collection, than that of Franciscea, and none better calculated to afford satisfaction to the amateur.’  [MB p.27/1846]. 

‘This fine species [Franciscea confertiflora] is well worth a place in every stove, on account of its handsome trusses of deep lilac flowers, and excellent habit.  Leaves are a handsome fleshy dark green, waved, and rather longer than those of F. latifolia.’  The plant described was 60cm high and 70cm in diameter.  [Gard. Chron. 1851].  ‘This fine stove plant of comparatively recent introduction [is] a first rate addition to this useful genus.  Its great heads of pale blue or lilac flowers, each measuring one and a half inches across, when produced in profusion, have a really striking effect.’  [Gard. Chron 1853]. 

The genus Franciscea was named for Francis I of Austria by J. B. E. Pohl who lived between 1782 and 1834.  Introduced to Britain in 1840.  [JD].  Figured in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine as Franciscea acuminata [BM t.4189/1845].  This is the figure used as illustration here.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.453/1857].  Plants were obtained from the Sydney Botanic Garden on 17th October 1853.  [RBGS AB].

Notes

The synonymy of the plants listed by Macarthur as Franciscea is somewhat complex, particularly the relationship between the many forms of Brunfelsia calycina and B. acuminata.  In the Hortus three plants, Franciscea confertiflora, F. eximia and F. pohliana are recorded as varieties or forms of F. calycina.