Ixora odorata Hook.

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.