Urechites suberectus Müll.Arg.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This twining plant is well adapted for pot culture, being moderate in growth and a profuse bloomer, producing great clusters of Convolvulus-shaped flowers of the purest yellow, all through the summer and autumn months.’  [Gard. Chron. 1853].  Introduced to Britain in 1759 by Miller, but was rare by 1840.  [MB p.101/1840].  ‘I regret that at the time the drawing of this really handsome Apocyneous plant [Dipladenia flava] was made from specimens in the Royal Gardens, the glandular structure of the receptacle and of the inside of the calyx was neglected to be examined, and I am at a loss whether to refer the species to Echites or to Dipladenia.  The general form of the flower seems to justify its being placed in the latter genus; if indeed the two be really distinct.  The plant seems undoubtedly new, and was sent from Santa Martha, New Grenada, by Mr. Purdie, in 1845.  It requires the heat of a stove for its successful cultivation.  The flowers are nearly equal in size, and the same in colour, as our yellow-flowered species of Allamanda.  Its blossoms with us are produced in May.’  [BM t.4702/1853].  ABR pl.187/1801.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.404/1850].  First obtained from Loddiges’ Nursery in 1848 but Macarthur reported in a letter dated 1st February, 1849, that it was dead on arrival.  [MP A2933-1, p.185].  It was obtained from them again, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in late 1849.  [ML A1980-3].  See also Mandevilla longiflora (Desf.) Pichon.

Notes

Echites suberectus Andr. = Urechites andrewsii Small, synonym Echites andrewsii Chapm.  A related species with yellow flowers from Florida.  [RHSD].  BM t.1064/1807.