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.

Edgeworthia chrysantha Lindl.

Frost hardy, open, rounded, deciduous shrub with supple shoots and lance-shaped leaves, to 15cm long, and spherical heads, to 5cm across, of small, fragrant yellow flowers, covered with silky white hairs, in late winter and spring.  To 1.5m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This shrub was found by Mr. Fortune in Chusan, and by him sent to the Horticultural Society in April, 1845.  It flowered for the first time in February, 1847, in a greenhouse. […] In order to induce it to flower, the Chinese bind the stems so as to form a loop, as is represented in our plate; and this practice has been followed with success in the garden of the Horticultural Society, where it has now flowered in the month of May.’  [BR f.48/1847]. 

‘The flower-heads at the ends of the shoots are in round balls, covered with hairs; when open they are clear, yellow, and fragrant.’  [JD]. 

It was used in China and Japan for the manufacture of high class paper for currency, Nepal paper.  [BM t.7180/1891].  FS pl.VII 11e Liv./1847.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.407/1857] but certainly grown at Camden by 1853 as plants were sent to the Sydney Botanic Garden in that year.  [RBGS AB].

Notes

Published Mar 06, 2010 - 05:03 PM | Last updated Aug 01, 2010 - 02:50 PM

Figured are lance-shaped leaves and a circular head of small yellow flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.7180, 1891.

Edgeworthia chrysantha Lindl. | BM t.7180/91 | BHL

Family Thymelaeaceae
Category
Region of origin

China, Japan

Synonyms
  • Edgeworthia papyrifera Sieb. & Zucc.
  • Edgeworthia gardneri Meisn.
  • Daphne papyrifera Sieb. 
Common Name

Paper bush, Mitsumata, Golden Edgworthia

Name in the Camden Park Record

Edgworthia chrysantha 

Confidence level high