Martynia fragrans Lindl.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1840.  [JD]. ].  ‘A half-hardy annual of very great beauty and delicious fragrance, for which I am indebted to Mr. Marnock, of the nursery, Hackney.  It has large purple flowers enlivened by a bright yellow streak along the middle of the lower lip, and is a native of Mexico, in the vicinity of the Real del Monte mines.  A figure of it will speedily appear in this work.’  [BR misc.206/1840].  ‘In the Miscellaneous notices of this work for 1840, the plant now figured was called “a half-hardy annual of very great beauty and delicious fragrance.”  The accuracy of that statement will now be seen, for surely so remarkable a flower as that on the opposite page well deserves this eulogium.  It is said to be a Mexican plant, from the vicinity of the Real del Monte Mines.’  [BR f.6/1840].

‘The curious capsules of this very beautiful and highly fragrant annual, containing ripe seeds, were received at the Royal Gardens of Kew, in the spring of 1846, from Mr. Ripper, at the Real del Monte mines, in Mexico.  Treated as half-hardy plants, they flourished during the summer months, in a cool greenhouse, and were universally admired, no less for their large and highly coloured flowers, than for their delicious odour.  There can scarcely be a doubt but this species will bear our summers in the open air; a bed entirely filled with it would have a rich effect, and would contribute greatly to ornament the flower garden.’  [BM t.4292/1847].

History at Camden Park

Seed order to Hurst and McMullen, Seedsmen and Florists of London, on 8th April 1846.  [MP A2933-1, p.132].  It is not known if seed was received or if it was raised in the gardens.

Notes

The fruit, gathered young, can be pickled in vinegar.  [RHSD].