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.

Riedlea tiliifolia DC.

Frost tender shrub or small tree with toothed leaves and terminal corymbs of numerous small pink flowers.  To 60cm.  [Don].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Andaman Islands, Malay Archipelago, and Burmah, hotter parts of India, etc.

Fiber. — This is known as betina-da.  It is a bast fiber, which when twisted into a stout cord is woven into the turtle nets used by the fishermen of the Andaman Islauds.’  [Dodge - Useful Fiber Plants of the World p.240/1897].

History at Camden Park

Probably short lived in the gardens as the only reference is the published 1850 catalogue.  It is underlined in a copy held at the Mitchell Library together with other plants that do not appear in the 1857 edition.  [ML 635.9m].

Notes

Published Mar 07, 2010 - 05:28 PM | Last updated Feb 04, 2011 - 04:51 PM

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Family Sterculiaceae
Category
Region of origin

Timor, India, South East Asia
Synonyms
  • Melochia arborea Blanco
  • Melochia velutina Wall. ex Bed.
  • Visenia umbellata Wight
  • Visenia tomentosa Miq.
  • Glossospermum velutinum Wall.
  • and many more
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Reedlia tilifolia 
Confidence level high