Emmenopterys henryi

Emmenopterys henryi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Asterids
Order:Gentianales
Family:Rubiaceae
Genus:Emmenopterys
Species: E. henryi
Binomial name
Emmenopterys henryi
Synonyms
  • Mussaenda cavaleriei H.Lév.
  • Mussaenda mairei H.Lév.

Emmenopterys henryi is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is found in the temperate parts of central and southern China and in Vietnam. It is a deciduous tree with opposite leaves and can attain heights of 45 m and grow to be 1000 years old. The epithet is named after the Irish botanist and sinologist Augustine Henry. The trees may not flower until they are 30-100 years old, and flowering seems to be triggered by a long hot summer. Many inflorescences are accompanied by a large white bract.[1]

Emmenopterys henryi in Europe

The first introduction to Europe was 1907 to England by Ernest Wilson.[2][3] They are noted for their rare flowering. The first time that Emmenopterys henryi flowered in mainland Europe was 1971 in the arboretum of Villa Taranto on Lago Maggiore, Italy.[2][3] At Borde Hill Garden, West Sussex, UK there are 2 specimens with the older planted in 1928 from seed collected by George Forrest which flowered in 2011,2012, 2016 and 2018; the smaller specimen has flowered 3 times and was planted in 1976 from micropropagation of the Kew specimen that was in poor condition due to the drought [4] [5]. A specimen in Cambridge flowered in 2012, after 30 years, only the fifth flowering in the UK.[6] In 2013, a tree flowered for the fourth time in the Arboretum Kalmthout in Belgium. This was unexpected, since the flowers only appeared in September, which is quite late.[7] After the 2018 heatwave in the UK, a 100 year old specimen in Roath Park, Cardiff flowered for the first time ever.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Emmenopterys henryi". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Ente Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto". Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  3. 1 2 "Emmenopterys henryi". Quarryhill Botanical Garden. 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  4. ↑ "Rare tree at Borde Hill Garden to bloom for 4th time in 90 years". Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  5. ↑ Brown, Paul (2011-08-28). "Weatherwatch: Emmenopterys henryi blossoms". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  6. ↑ "Rare Chinese tree flowers in Cambridge after 30-year wait". BBC News online. 15 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "De Emmenopterys plots opnieuw in bloei in Kalmthout". 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  8. ↑ "Roath Park's rare Chinese tree flowers in heatwave". BBC. Retrieved 11 August 2018.


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