Stachytarpheta mutabilis (Jacq.) Vahl.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The genus Verbena as it formerly stood was divided into two sections, the one containing such species as have only two stamens and two seeds, the other those with four stamens and four seeds.  But as these plants differ also in their inflorescence and other respects, they have of late been properly separated; for, as Mr. Salisbury remarks, not two plants in the same natural order can be more distinct than the present one and Verbena officinalis.  Plants differing in genus must necessarily be distinguished by different generic names; and we have, without attempting to defend it, adopted that already established by Vahl in his Enumeratio Plantarum, rather than encourage any further innovation.  If English tongues should hesitate at its length, we have shewn them how it may be corrupted without much injury, for in truth, even to the most learned, a word signifying a crowded-spike or a boat’s-tail (Cymburus) can convey no idea whatever of the plant.  From right of priority the name of Sherardia should have been restored, and a new one applied to the Sherardia of Linnaeus; but the confusion occasioned by such changes is ever to be deplored.  A native of South-America, and with us an inhabitant of the stove.  Flowers throughout the summer.  Is propagated by cuttings.’  [BM t.976/1806].

‘S. mutabilis is a handsome, ever-flowering shrub, the leaves of which have been imported from south America for the purpose of adulterating tea.’  Introduced to Britain in 1801.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Only listed in the 1857 catalogue [T.956/1857] although first mentioned in a handwritten note in an 1850 catalogue.  [MP A2947a].

Notes