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.

Laurus species unidentified

Laurus or related species, unidentified. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

Possibly an Australian species similar to Laurus or referred to Laurus at the time.  Only one Australian species of Cryptocarya were originally referred to Laurus, Cryptocarya australis (A.Cunn. ex Hook.) Benth., synonym Laurus australis A.Cunn. ex Hook.

Cryptocarya is a genus of some 250 species of trees or shrubs from the tropics or sub-tropics.  15 species are recognised in NSW, including Cryptocarya bidwillii Meissn.  This was not described until 1864, the type plant originating from Wide Bay, now in Queensland, suggesting that Bidwill found it there after he was appointed Commissioner in 1849.  However Macarthur sent two plants of an unidentified Cryptocarya to Loddiges’ Nursery in 1846 [MP A2933-1, p.147] and also presented a plant of ‘Cryptocarea sp. Native of Sasefras’ to the Sydney Botanic Garden on December 24th 1845 [RBGS AB] so he was certainly familiar with the genus.  See also Cryptocarya species unidentified.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 cataloge [T.631/1857].

Notes

Published Mar 03, 2010 - 12:02 PM | Last updated Mar 03, 2010 - 12:03 PM

Family Lauraceae
Category
Region of origin

Unknown

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Laurus sp. 

Confidence level low