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.

Polygala oppositifolia Thunb. var. latifolia Harv.

An upright, evergreen shrub with broader, more ovate leaves than Polygala oppositifolia Thunb. var. cordifolia, which see, and freely-produced red-purple flowers in spring.  To 50cm.  [RHSD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘It flowers in abundance in the spring: the blossoms are of a colour, which for brightness, sets all imitation at defiance.’  [LBC no.760/1823].  According to Don introduced to Britain in 1820.  ‘A curious unpublished species, lately introduced from the Cape of Good Hope by Messrs. Colvill, of the Chelsea Nursery, in the King’s Road, where the drawing was taken in May last.  Cultivated in the greenhouse.  It forms a small upright shrub, and flowers freely in the latter part of the spring.’  [BR f.645/1822].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.772/1843].

Notes

Published Mar 22, 2009 - 04:52 PM | Last updated Mar 24, 2010 - 03:43 PM

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Illustrated are the ovate leaves and terminal raceme of red-purple flowers. Botanical Register f.645, 1822.

Polygala oppositifolia Thunb. | BR f.645/1822 | BHL

Family Polygalaceae
Category
Region of origin

South Africa
Synonyms
  • Polygala latifolia Ker-Gawl.
Common Name

Milkwort
Name in the Camden Park Record

Polygala latifolia 
Confidence level high