Aeschynanthus pulchra G.Don

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘We have a plant here growing in a 10in pot and covering a cylindrical wire trellis 3ft high and 5ft in circumference, with no less than 450 expanded flowers on it.’  [Gard. Chron. 1850].  It was collected by Thomas Lobb for Veitch and Sons and introduced to Britain in 1845. ‘To this splendid plant we alluded, under an equally handsome species, Aesch. Lobbianus, figured in our last Number, Tab. 4261.  It was sent from Java to Mr. Veitch of the Exeter Nursery, by his collector, Mr. T. Lobb, under the name here adopted, [Aeschinanthus pulchra] and is probably known in that Island as the true species so called; otherwise we should scarcely have guessed it to be the same plant; since that species comes into De Candolle’s division, “pedunculis axillaribus bifloris”.  The description, however, is in that particular at variance with that of the section: for the peduncles are said to be “fasciculated”, axillary, and “terminal”.  It is chiefly distinguished from Ae. Lobbianus by its broader leaves, shorter tube of the calyx, quite glabrous and very much more exserted tube of the corolla.  It flowers in June and July, and was exhibited at the Chiswick Horticultural Show about that period.  [BM t.4264/1846].  FS pl.VI 2e Liv./1847.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.34/1857].

Notes

Also spelt Aeschinanthus in early literature.