Ixora coccinea L. var. bandhuca (Roxb.) Corner

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain about 1812 by Sir Abraham Hume.  [MB p.265/1835].  ‘We owe the introduction of this fine species, as well as that of its congener grandiflora (published in the second Volume of this work, fol. 154), to Sir Abraham Hume.  The plant, of which a sample was imparted to us, flowered this summer (for the first time) in the hothouse at Wormleybury, where it had been cultivated for at least six years.  The following is the account of the species by Dr. Roxburgh.  “A bushy shrub, uncommonly full of branches; native of Hindustan, the flower of which, according to Sir William Jones, is often alluded to by the best poets of India.  It is in bloom nearly the whole year, but principally during the rains; when it is highly ornamental.”  [BR f.513/1821].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.581/1850].  Ixora Banhuca was included among desiderata in a letter to Loddiges Nursery dated 13th February, 1848 [MP A2933-1, 172].  It is possible that more than one plant was sent as Macarthur wrote in a letter dated 1st February, 1849 ‘the Ixoras [ … ] doing perfectly well’ [MP A2933-1, p.185].

Notes

See also Ixora coccinea L.