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.

Strobilanthes anisophylla T.Anders.

Frost tender, evergreen sub-shrub with unequal pairs of lance-shaped, toothed leaves, the longer to 9cm long, and tubular blue flowers, borne in cone-shaped inflorescences in spring and winter.  To 2m.  [RHSD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

First botanically described as Ruellia anisophylla by Wallich in Hooker’s Exotic Flora in 1827 [Exotic Flora vol.3, t.191/1827]. Transferred to the genus Goldfussia by Nees in 1832 [Wallich vol.3, p.88/1832] and to Strobilanthes by Thomas Anderson in 1865 [Cat. Pl. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta, 1861-64 p.43/1864]. Although the latter name is now commonly used it is not totally accepted as valid with Goldfussia sometimes preferred.

‘This beautiful plant [Goldfussia anisophylla] was found by Francis de Sylva, at Silhet, and through Dr. Wallich introduced to European gardens, where it is a great ornament to our stoves, flowering during the winter and spring months.  The flowers are handsome, but in a measure concealed by the distichous foliage, under which they seem to insinuate themselves, though they originate in the upper axils of the leaf.’  [BM t.3404/1835].  Introduced to Britain in 1823.  [JD].  MB p.121/1841.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.530/1850].

Notes

Published Feb 22, 2010 - 11:22 AM | Last updated Apr 21, 2011 - 05:28 PM

Figured are lance-shaped, toothed leaves, and tubular blue flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.3404, 1835.

Strobilanthes anisophylla T.Anders. | BM t.3404/1835 as Goldfussia anisophylla | BHL

Family Acanthaceae
Category
Region of origin

Asia

Synonyms
  • Goldfussia anisophylla Nees
  • Ruellia anisophylla Wall. ex Hook.
  • Ruellia persicifolia Griff.
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Goldfussia anisophylla 

Confidence level high