Wikstroemia indica (L.) C.A.Mey.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Originally introduced to Europe from China rather than Australia.

‘N. Australia.  Arnhem N. bay, R. Brown; Cleveland Bay, N. W. coast, A.

Cunningham.

Queensland.  Shoal Bay passage, R. Brown ; Port Denison, Fitzalan; Edgecombe and Rockingham bays, Dallachy ; Rockhampton, Thozet; Logan river, A. Cunningham, Frazer ; Burnett and Brisbane rivers, F. Mueller.

N. S. Wales. Port Jackson to the Blue Mountains, R. Brown, A. & R. Cunningham, and others ; northward to Hastings and Clarence rivers, Beckler; New England, C. Stuart, and numerous stations in Leichhardt’s collection ; southward to Illawarra, Herb. F. Mueller (without the collector’s name).  [FA vol.6, p.37/1873].  

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.373/1857].  As indicated in Flora Australiensis widespread species and Macarthur could have collected his plants from a number of places, including locally.

Notes

A less likely possibility is Daphne indica Loisel, a synonym of Daphne odora Thunb. which see.

‘Daphne odora generally passed in our nurseries for some years as the indica, described by Osbeck as having opposite leaves and a stem only a span in height; which species has probably never been seen in this country.  That, however, described as the indica, by Loureiro, seems to be very similar to odora, and may, perhaps, only be a variety of it with opposite leaves.’  I assume that D. indica Loisel. = D. indica Lour.  [BM t.1587/1813].

Daphne indica Schangin  = Daphne altaica Pall., a siberian species.