Aralia cachemirica Decne.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This is an herbaceous plant from the north of India, looking like A. racemosa, but much larger in all its parts.  the flowers, which are greenish yellow, have been produced in the garden of the horticultural Society, where the plant has been raised from seeds presented by the East India company.’  [BR misc.72/1844].  It was reportedly introduced to cultivation in Britain in 1888 [RHSD] but this is clearly erroneous.

History at Camden Park

A plant was sent to Judge Therry in Argyle on June 10th 1846 [MP A2908, p.152].  This is the only mention in the manuscripts.  Probably grown at Camden Park at this time.

Notes

Of the species described as in cultivation in Britain at this time by Johnson’s Dictionary only two are from the Himalayas, Aralia aculeata Don and Aralia fragrans Spr.  Aralia cachemirica is perhaps more likely.