Royena villosa L.
Scrambling shrub or small tree with a densely leafy crown and yellow flowers, to 10mm long, 1-3 in leaf axils. To 3m. [Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Schmidt et al].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘In Moreton Bay, Queensland, the singular discovery has been made of the occurrence of the south-east African climbing shrub Royena villosa, L., growing apparently spontaneous by the Brisbane river, near the city of Brisbane. I am indebted to Baron von Mueller for a specimen, which was gathered by Mr. Walter Hill. Having regard to the great distance and wide divergence between the floras of Australia and the Cape of Good Hope, and to the fact that many species of foreign trees and shrubs have been imported into Australia, it must be suspected that this is not an outlying station of the true geographical range of the plant, but rather due to introduction. The flowers have a sweet fragrance and the plant is not unlikely to be cultivated.’ [Journal of Botany British and Foreign p.353/1875]. Figured in Natal Plants [Wood – Natal Plants vol.3, pl.20/1902] and in Meerburgh’s Plantarum Selectarum Icones Pictae [Meerburgh Afb. pl.XXXXIII/1775].
I have no additional data on its introduction to gardens.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.911/1857].
Notes
Published Mar 13, 2009 - 04:37 PM | Last updated Mar 09, 2010 - 05:31 PM
Royena villosa L. | Meerburgh Afb. pl.XXXXIII/175 | Missouri Botanic Garden Library - Rare Books (on line)
| Family | Ebenaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Southern Africa |
| Synonyms | Diospyros villosa (L.) De Winter |
| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Royena villosa |
| Confidence level | high |