Porphyrocoma lanceolata Hook.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Published as Porphyrocoma lanceolata Hook. in 1845 [BM t.4176/1845].

‘For the possession of this truly charming plant we are indebted to Mr. Forkel, Gardener to His Majesty the King of the Belgians, at Brussels, who sent it to us under the above name; but unfortunately without any history, so as to leave us in the dark as to its native country, or the author of its very appropriate name, ([Greek for] purple, and head of hair), given in allusion to the singularly richly coloured spikes of deep purple, from within the scales of which the scarcely less brightly coloured (but more inclining to blue) flowers appear.  It was exhibited in the Horticultural Society’s Rooms, and excited admiration from the beauty of the blossoms which consist in the dark purple comb-like parts half covering the Lamium-like violet flowers.  It is a stove plant, and continues flowering during the spring and summer months.’  [BM t.4176/1845].

‘Spikes of purple, from within the scale of which the scarcely less brightly-coloured (but more inclined to blue) flowers appear.’ [Gard. Chron. 1845].  Introduced to Britain in 1845.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.777/1857].

Notes

V. A. W. Graham proposed the new combination of Justicia scheidweileri in 1988, synonym Porphyrocoma lanceolata Hort. ex Lindau (1895) [Kew Bulletin 43(4): 617/1988]. I have not seen Graham’s paper and have retained the name Porphyrocoma lanceolata at least for present.