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.

Lychnis fulgens Fisch.

Hardy perennial with ovate-oblong leaves and bright scarlet flowers in loose, few-flowered umbels.  To 60cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Stem single, erect, rounded, hispid, with the hairs pointing downwards. […] Flowers terminal, sessile, crowded together, and supported by the upper pair of leaves, smaller and more acuminate than the rest: consisting of three only, of a vivid scarlet colour. […] This plant has a near affinity with Lychnis chalcedonica, and should be place next to it in the system.  It may be the same with the smaller sort recorded by Dodonaeus on the authority of Gesner, which he says is of about half the height and bears fewer flowers, which are produced the first year from seed.  It is probably a native of Russia, and quite hardy.  Raised in the present year in several gardens about London, from seeds sent by Dr. Fischer from the Gorenki garden.  Flowers in July.  Communicated by Mr. Jenkins from his botanic garden in the New-Road.’  [BM t.2104/1819].  Introduced to Britain in 1822.  [PD].

History at Camden Park

Seed ordered from Warner & Warner, Seedsmen and Florists, Cornhill, on 12th April 1846 [MP A2933-1, p.131], although this plant is not listed in The Gardener’s Chronicle advertisement of 12th April, 1845, referred to by Macarthur.  

Notes

Published Sep 18, 2009 - 05:17 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 02:36 PM

Illustrated are ovate-oblong leaves and bright scarlet flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.2104, 1819.

Lychnis fulgens Fisch. | BM t.2104/1819 | BHL

Family Caryophyllaceae
Category
Region of origin

Siberia

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Lychnis fulgens 

Confidence level high