Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Amicia zygomeris DC.

Frost-hardy, woody-based perennial with mid-green leaves, consisting of 2 pairs of heart-shaped leaflets and racemes of 3-10 pea-like yellow flowers with purple keels in autumn.  To 2.2m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The first discovered species (by Humboldt) is a native of New Grenada; the second, and only other yet known, (the one here figured,) is a native of Mexico, was first taken up by De Candolle, and afterwards more fully described in the ” Linnaea,” from specimens gathered by Scheide in woods at Jalacingo; and I possess fine native specimens collected by M. Galeotti, upon the Cordillera of Mexico, near the Pacific, growing in woods and by river-sides, at an elevation of from 5,500 to 8,000 feet above the level of the sea.  It is No. 3180 of M. Galeotti’s, Mexican Collections.  Schlechtendal calls it, and deservedly,“planta pulcherrima;” its flowers are large, copious, and the foliage extremely delicate.  It was introduced to this country from Paris by Messrs. Rollinson’s of the Tooting Nursery, and by them kindly given to the Royal Gardens of Kew, where it blossomed copiously during the early winter months.  This blossoming was probably hastened by its growth being checked from cuttings being taken from the plant.’  [BM t.4008/1843]. 

Introduced to Britain in 1826.  [JD].  MB p.173/1846.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.49/1857] although it was first introduced to Australia much earlier as part of a consignment sent out from Kew by John Bidwill in November 1843 [AJCP].  It seems likely that these plants came to Camden Park.

Notes

Published Nov 21, 2009 - 05:00 PM | Last updated Jul 18, 2010 - 04:41 PM

Figured are heart-shaped leaves and yellow pea-like flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.4008, 1843.

Amicia zygomeris DC. | BM t.4008/1843 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

Mexico

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Amicia zygomeris 

Confidence level high