Aeschynanthus lamponga Miq.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Introduced in 1844, with nearly heart-shaped leaves.  Flowers, about an inch and a half long, of a rich-reddish scarlet.  It succeeds well, grown in a basket suspended from the roof of the stove.’  [FC p.302/1852].  ‘The British cultivator of plants when called upon to exhibit his skill, urged by the stimulation of honourable competition and reward at those meetings now so widely spread and so highly beneficial through the land, soon found that the Aeschynanthus was well suited to his purpose, as presenting a pleasing aspect in exact proportion to the care bestowed upon it, and thus evincing most accurately his own capacity for the distinction aimed at.  Plants of this genus are invariably seen at all the summer and autumn exhibitions and meetings of the votaries of Flora; and their beautiful habit presented on those occasions has so captivated beholders, that their culture has been carried out in establishments where exhibiting at the public shows has not been thought of.  All the species of Aeschynanthus are beautiful, some exceedingly so, rendering them essential to every stove collection, and will most amply repay for any care and management required.’  [FC p.300/1852].  MB p.175/1846.  PFG 1853.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.29/1850].

Notes

‘The British cultivator of plants when called upon to exhibit his skill, urged by the stimulation of honourable competition and reward at those meetings now so widely spread and so highly beneficial through the land, soon found that the Aeschynanthus was well suited to his purpose, as presenting a pleasing aspect in exact proportion to the care bestowed upon it, and thus evincing most accurately his own capacity for the distinction aimed at.  Plants of this genus are invariably seen at all the summer and autumn exhibitions and meetings of the votaries of Flora; and their beautiful habit presented on those occasions has so captivated beholders, that their culture has been carried out in establishments where exhibiting at the public shows has not been thought of.  All the species of Aeschynanthus are beautiful, some exceedingly so, rendering them essential to every stove collection, and will most amply repay for any care and management required.’  [FC p.300/1852].