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.

Plumbago indica L.

Frost tender evergreen shrub, becoming spreading or semi-scandent, with elliptic leaves, to 11cm long, and terminal racemes of long-tubed, deep pink or red flowers, to 2.5cm long, in autumn or winter.  To 2m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The Plumbago rosea, one of the most ornamental plants which we keep in our stoves, is a native of India, from whence it was introduced to this country by the late Dr. Fothergill, in the year 1777. […] It is a shrubby plant, which frequently grows to the height of four or five feet, and is perpetually putting forth flowering spikes; these continue a long time in blossom, and hence, with proper mangement, it may be had to flower during most of the year, a very desirable circumstance in a plant of such singular beauty.’  [BM t.230/1793].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.767/1857].

Notes

Published Mar 24, 2009 - 05:21 PM | Last updated Mar 25, 2010 - 02:11 PM

Shown are the elliptic leaves and terminal raceme of long-tubed red flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.230, 1793.

Plumbago indica L. | BM t.230/1793 | BHL

Family Plumbaginaceae
Category
Region of origin

South East Asia

Synonyms

Plumbago rosea L.

Common Name

Scarlet leadwort

Name in the Camden Park Record

Plumbago rosea 

Confidence level high