Columnea schiedeana Schltdl.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1840 by J. Rogers and first flowered at Rollinson’s Nursery, Tooting, in 1841.  ‘The curiously formed blossoms of this plant and the somewhat singular colour and odd markings render it far from uninteresting.  If it does not arrest the attention of every beholder, it at least possesses considerable attractiveness for those who have a taste for the combination of the curious and the beautiful.’  [Gard. Chron. 1853].  ‘If this cannot be called a handsome plant, it is, at any rate, a very striking and remarkable one.  The flowers are numerous, large, yellow, and spotted with red, and the calyx is red: but the yellow is a dull yellow, and the red is a brick red.  Still the species deserves a place in every stove.  It is one of Schiede’s discoveries.  He met with it growing on old trees, near Misantla, and near la Hacienda de la Laguna, in Mexico.  It was probably introduced to our English Gardens from that of Berlin, and being readily increased by cuttings or offsets, is becoming common with us.  It flowers with us from May to June and July: and though an epiphyte in its native woods, may be readily cultivated, and thrives well in a pot of common mould.’  [BM t.4045/1843].  MB p.31/1842.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.335/1857].

Notes