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.

Torenia asiatica L. var. concolor Lindl.

For details see Torenia asiatica L.  Similar to the type but more open and loosely spreading than the species, the flowers of a more uniform blue, without the deep purple blotches.  

Horticultural & Botanical History

It is figured in the Botanical Register having been collected by Robert Fortune the previous year.  ‘This plant is probably regarded in Herbarea as T. asiatica, but living specimens forbid its union with that species.  It was sent to the Horticultural Society by Mr. Fortune, who found it growing in marshy ground in Hong Kong.’  [BR f.62/1846].  ‘It will prove a worthy associate of the lovely T. asiatica, excelling the latter in beauty; for the flowers are nearly of as a fine a blue as those of Salvia patens.’  [FC p.259/1846].  ‘It is by no means the equal to T. asiatica, and will not apparently thrive in the open air during summer, as will that species.’  [MB p.197/1848].  BM t.6797/1885.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H226/1850].  Obtained from the London Horticultural Society.  Included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley in a letter dated 15th February 1848 and marked ‘arrived’ on Macarthur’s copy [MP A2933-1, p.157].  It was also requested from Kew Gardens about the same time but not marked arrived [MP A2933-1, p.165].

Notes

Published Sep 24, 2009 - 05:02 PM | Last updated Feb 18, 2010 - 05:24 PM

Figured are lance-shaped, toothed leaves and deep purple-blue flowers.  Botanical Register  f.62, 1846.

Torenia asiatica L. var. concolor Lindl. | BR f.62/1846 | RBGS

Family Scrophulariaceae
Category
Region of origin

India to China

Synonyms
  • Torenia concolor Lindl. 
Common Name

Wishbone flower

Name in the Camden Park Record

Torenia concolor 

Confidence level high