Carissa bispinosa (L.) Desf. ex Brenan.
Frost-tender, spiny shrub, the spines to 3cm long and usually forked, with box-like leaves and small, white, sweetly-scented flowers in summer, followed by red berries. To 1.5m. [RHSD, Hortus].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1760. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Although first appearing in the catalogues in 1850 [T.67/1850], it was recorded as received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831. [MP A2948]. Almost certainly introduced to assess its value as a hedging species.
Notes
Arduina bispinosa Lodd. (1819) = Carissa ferox A.DC. ‘It has long been cultivated in this country, and forms a pretty, dwarf, greenhouse plant. The blossoms, which are frequent, remain a long time, usually commencing towards the latter part of the summer.’ [LBC no.387/1819]. This could be the plant grown by Macarthur.
Published Jan 16, 2009 - 11:27 AM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 11:47 AM
| Family | Apocynaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South Africa |
| Synonyms |
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| Common Name | Hedge thorn |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Arduina bispinosa |
| Confidence level | medium |