Calycanthus floridus L.
Fully hardy, bushy, spreading shrub with oval or oblong leaves to 12cm, and fragrant, dark red flowers, 5cm across and resembling a tiny water-lily with numerous strap-shaped petals, in summer. To 2.5m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘The Calycanthus floridus is a spreading, deciduous, hardy shrub of low growth, seldom rising above the height of four or five feet, producing numerous flowers from May to August, singular in their form, colour, and scent, the latter Mr. Miller describes as disagreeable, contrary to the general opinion; the bark has a very strong aromatic odour, whence the inhabitants of Carolina gave it the title of Allspice. […] Mr. Catesby, who first introduced it into the English gardens in 1726, procured it from the country, some hundred miles on the back of Charles-town, in Carolina. It was very scarce here till about the year 1757, when many plants were brought from Carolina.’ [BM t.503/1801].
‘The bark of Calycanthus floridus, from its aromatic fragrance, is used as a substitute for cinnamon in the USA.’ Six varieties are listed. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.191/1843]. A plant was presented to the Sydney Botanic Garden on December 24th 1845 [RBGS AB].
Notes
Published Mar 02, 2009 - 04:50 PM | Last updated Jul 15, 2010 - 05:35 PM
Calycanthus floridus L. | BM t.503/1801 | BHL
| Family | Calycanthaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South eastern USA |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Carollina allspice, Common sweetshrub, Strawberry bush, Virginia allspice tree |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Calycanthus floridus - Virginia allspice tree |
| Confidence level | high |
