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.

Sparmannia africana L.f.

Frost tender, large shrub or small tree with vigorous, many-branched, hairy stems, rounded, shallowly palmately lobed leaves, to 21cm long, and umbels of up to 20 cup-shaped white flowers, to 4cm across, in spring and summer.  To 6m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This beautiful shrub is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was introduced by the celebrated traveller whose name it bears. [Dr. Anders Sparrman, 1748-1820, who accompanied Capt. Cook on his second voyage.]  It was first introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, from whence it has been distributed to several collections about town, and though at present a scarce plant, will not perhaps long remain so, being readily propagated by cuttings, if treated in the same manner as some of the more tender Pelargoniums.’  [BM t.516/1801].  Introduced to Britain in 1790.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.939/1843].

Notes

Published Mar 27, 2009 - 11:55 AM | Last updated Mar 29, 2010 - 03:09 PM

Illustrated are the rounded, shallowly lobed leaves and cup-shaped white flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.516, 1801.

Sparmannia africana L.f. | BM t.516/1801 | BHL

Family Tiliaceae
Category
Region of origin

South Africa

Synonyms
Common Name

African hemp

Name in the Camden Park Record

Sparmannia Africana 

Confidence level high