Howittia trilocularis

Howittia trilocularis | Blue Howittia

Howittia is a monotypic genus that is closely related to another monotypic Australian genus, Lagunaria (listed below). Howittia trilocularis is a large shrub that can reach 3m in height. The 25mm flowers range in color from lavender to mauve, and are borne in late spring and summer. The natural distribution of Howittia trilocularis is coastal New South Wales, coastal eastern Victoria and a small region of western Victoria, extending into the south eastern part of South Australia, where it can be found in wet forests. Howittia trilocularis prefers a moist, well-drained soil in a semi-shaded location. It will also grow in full sun but roots should be kept cool by mulching the root zone. It tolerates some frost but grows better (and looks better) in a frost free area. I will post a photo as soon as one of my plants blooms.

Historical Information: Howittia was named after Dr Godfrey Howitt (fl. 1855), a Melbourne physician interested in botany. Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller first formally described the species in 1855, from a specimen which was found growing on "bushy declivities around Lake King".

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Historical Reference: Howittia trilocularis —A flexile shrub, grows twenty feet high; belongs to the Malvaceae; the flowers are of a purple colour; very pretty, and merits a place in every shrubbery.

   The Floricultural Cabinet, and Florists Magazine
   by Joseph Harrison
   Publisher Whitaker & Co., 1856

Kosteletzkya virginica

Kosteletzkya virginica | Seashore Mallow, Sweat Weed, Virginia Saltmarsh Mallow

The Seashore Mallow is a 1-3m tall perennial with several stems arising from the crown. It is native to fresh or salty marshes near the coast, from southern Delaware to eastern Texas. Although it can be found in both fresh or salty tidal marshes, Kosteletzkya virginica does not flourish as well in fresh water. The flowers of the Seashore Mallow are more numerous but smaller than those of other Hibiscus (to 5cm). The flowers are usually pink, but may also be lavender or white, flowering from July to October. When grown in full sun and constantly moist soil, the plant flowers profusely. The Seashore Mallow is a halophyte (a plant that thrives in saline soil), and often grows in areas where other crops can’t. Give Seashore Mallow full sun, well drained soil and some room to spread.

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Historical Reference: Kosteletzkya virginica (L.). Kosteletzky's Mallow. Hibiscus virginica. Edge of the salt marshes on the coast and bay shore; common in Cape May County; local and less common farther north. This mallow is a conspicuous feature of the mid-summer coast marshes, its broadly branching stems with their numerous pink flowers adding quite a touch of color, although not nearly so conspicuous as the following species. Unlike it, the Kosteletzkya never strays from the vicinity of the salt marshes.

   Annual Report of the New Jersey State Museum
   New Jersey State Museum
   BiblioBazaar, 1911

Lagunaria patersonii

Lagunaria patersonii | Norfolk Island Hibiscus

Lagunaria is a small genus from from Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands in the South Pacific, and the coastal and inland areas of north Queensland. Until recently, Lagunaria was regarded as a monotypic species. It is believed its closest relative is Howittia, a monotypic Australian genus.

Lagunaria is known by a variety of common names, including Queensland Pyramid Tree, Cow Itch Tree, Norfolk Island Hibiscus, Whitewood, and Primrose Tree. It is a pyramidal-shaped tree, growing to 15m in height. The leaves are gray-green with flowers ranging from a pale pink to an almost purple color. There is a named variety 'Royal Purple' which has rosy-purple flowers. Caution: After flowering, Lagunaria produces bristly seed capsules that cause eye and skin irritation. Lagunaria has been introduced into the United States and can be found along the California coast as well as the inland valleys. Lagunaria tolerates reduced watering once established.

Until recently Lagunaria was regarded as monotypic with Lagunaria patersonii being the sole member of the genus, but with two recognised subspecies: ssp. patersonia and ssp. bracteatus. The Queensland population has recently been re-classified (2006) as a separate species Lagunaria queenslandica, however, until it become more clear as to whether this re-classification will be generally accepted, the earlier classification is retained here.

Lagunaria patersonii ssp. patersonia is confined to Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. This subspecies is more robust in habit and has larger, scaly leaves and is generally found in rainforest.

Lagunaria patersonii ssp. bracteatus occurs in Queensland, generally found in non-rainforest areas often along rivers and creeks. All Lagunaria patersonii plants in mainland New South Wales were introduced.

As far as the specific name Lagunaria, there is some disagreement as to the correct spelling. For the most part, Australians refer to this species as Lagunaria patersonia, however I support the spelling Lagunaria patersonii, frequently used in Europe and the US. Over the last 2 centuries, Lagunaria has undergone several name changes, and a quick search of the IPNI website reveals several names associated with it. It appears that in August of 1831, G. Don published the name Lagunaria patersonii and cited Hibiscus patersonius Andrews and Lagunaea patersonia Sims as synonyms. This was later "corrected" to Lagunaria patersonia, perhaps in deference to Lagunaea patersonia Sims. However, the name Lagunaea patersonia seems unlikely on two counts: first, the defunct genus Lagunea consisted of mostly herbaceous species (like Hibiscus lobatus) that were later merged into Hibiscus. Second, based on the rules of botanical Latin, patersonia should have been rendered patersonii. According to "Botanical Latin" by William T. Stearn, "The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature recommends that when a new specific or infraspecific epithet is taken from the name of a man it should be formed in the following manner: When the name ends in a consonant, the letters ii are added (thus ramondii from Ramond), except when the name ends in er, when i is added (thus kerneri from Kerner). When epithets taken from the name of a man have an adjectival form they are formed in a similar way, e.g. Geranium robertianum, Tulipa gesneriana, Asarum hayatanum." Thus, even if the name was to have taken an adjectival form it would have been rendered Lagunaria patersoniana.

Likewise, the current International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) states:
"Article 60C.1. b If the personal name ends with a consonant (except -er), substantival epithets are formed by adding -i- (stem augmentation) plus the genitive inflection appropriate to the sex and number of the person(s) honoured (e.g. lecard-ii for Lecard (male), wilson-iae for Wilson (female), verlot-iorum for the Verlot brothers, braun-iarum for the Braun sisters, mason-iorum for Mason, father and daughter)." Thus, if for the sake of argument, Paterson was female, it whould have been rendered Lagunaria patersoniae.

It seems from the beginning, Lagunaria patersonii has been plagued with misapplied or misspelled binomials. Thankfully, the current RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS of the ICBN code allow for correction: CHAPTER V. REJECTION OF NAMES Article 51.1. A legitimate name must not be rejected merely because it, or its epithet, is inappropriate or disagreeable, or because another is preferable or better known (but see Art. 56.1)

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Historical Information: The genus was named in honour of Andres de Laguna (d. 1560), a Spanish botanist (and physician to Pope Julius III), and the species in honour of a Colonel W. Paterson who first sent the seeds of the species to England.

Historical Reference: The tree is very shapely and ornamental in appearance, and is worthy of being planted far more extensively than it is. Any Sydney nurseryman can supply it. It should do well in all our sea-coast suburbs,such as Waverley, llandwick, and the Illawarra suburbs. The Manly Municipal Council has one or two in the Reserve near the jetty, but I cannot call to mind many about Sydney. In Adelaide I noticed a large number planted by the sides of the road, on the North Terrace. They were planted alternately with other trees, and were healthy-looking and ornamental. I have not at all a doubt they would do even better for street-planting in Sydney, for we have a more humid climate and a more saline atmosphere than has that beautiful city of our sister State.

   The Forest Flora of New South Wales
   By Joseph Henry Maiden, 1912

Lagunaria patersonii 'Royal Purple'

Lagunaria patersonii 'Royal Purple' | Norfolk Island Hibiscus

Lagunaria is known by a variety of common names, including Queensland Pyramid Tree, Cow Itch Tree, Norfolk Island Hibiscus, Whitewood, and Primrose Tree. It is a pyramidal-shaped tree, growing to 15m in height (50 ft). The leaves are gray-green and the flowers range from a pale pink to an almost purple color. For more detailed information on Lagunaria, see this sites entry for: Lagunaria patersonii

'Royal Purple' has rosy-purple flowers. The actual color is difficult to capture with a camera --the photos may appear a bit too pink depending on your monitor. As the flower ages, the color darkens to a true purple. Lagunaria has been introduced into the United States and can be found along the California coast as well as the inland valleys. Lagunaria 'Royal Purple' can be difficult to find, and at this time I am not aware of it being offered comercially in the U.S.


Historical Information: The genus was named in honour of Andres de Laguna (d. 1560), a Spanish botanist (and physician to Pope Julius III), and the species in honour of a Colonel W. Paterson who first sent the seeds of the species to England.

Lavatera assurgentiflora

Lavatera assurgentiflora | Island Tree Mallow, Island Shrub Mallow, Malva Rosa, Mission Mallow

The California Lavateras are a closely related group of 4 or 5 species, endemic to the Channel Islands of California, and on the mainland and islands of Baja California. The best known of these species, Lavatera assurgentiflora, is an extremely fast growing shrub that can be trained as a small tree.

Ssp.assurgentiflora comes from the northern Channel islands (Anacapa and San Miguel), and Ssp. glabra from San Clemente and Santa Catalina islands.

Conservation Status: There are fewer than ten native occurrences known and is considered rare at all occurrences. Seriously threatened by grazing.

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Historical Reference: Lavatera assurgentiflora is a large shrub, sometimes twelve feet tall, from the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Some say it came originally from Spain. At any rate it is growing on the Islands and since it has been used for a long time for coastal windbreaks it has escaped bounds and naturalized itself near the coast almost as far north as San Francisco. This Island Mallow is a valiant battler with the elements and a courageous bloomer. In spring it is gay with flowers; when Foxtail and other grasses turn loose their seeds to bristle like porcupine quills in collectors' and photographers' clothing, it is still alive with rose-pink, dark-veined bowls; when most wild shrubs are overtaken by drought and relax into rest, there are usually a few blooms left on the Mallow. It is only when the cold January winds thrash it about that L. assurgentiflora begins to look depressed, sheds some tattered leaves, and shows empty gray-green calyx cups hanging raggedly along its smooth, gray-tan boughs.

The big bush is rounded in shape but loose and open with many stems spreading outward from the base. The Maple-like leaves are a bright light green and the large bowl-shaped flowers, two inches across, are rosy pink, a little paler toward the center, and striped with deep purple-carmine, suggesting in their detail an old flower picture.

If you live along the California coast south of San Francisco or in a corresponding coastal climate elsewhere you can hardly fail with Lavatera assurgentiflora and you will find it very useful for a wide hedge in poor soil where few other shrubs will grow. As it will volunteer all over the place, you may expect to see a whole forest of little Mallows. A bit of pruning helps it to keep its shape, but summer watering is not absolutely necessary. I bave never tried growing it in northern coastal California nor in gardens of the hot, dry, sections of the interior.

   Flowering Shrubs of California and Their Value to the Gardener
   By Lester Rowntree
   Stanford University Press, first edition 1939

Lavatera 'Black Heart'

Lavatera 'Black Heart' | Island Tree Mallow, Mission Mallow

The California Lavateras are a variable group suited to the cool moist winters, and warm dry summers of California. Most of the species are tolerant of coastal conditions. Lavatera venosa is found on the San Benito islands (west of Cedros island off the coast of Baja), and also in the Vizcaino area of the mainland of Baja California, but it is unknown if it is native or introduced. Venosa is smaller than assurgentiflora, and has darker purple flowers with darker veins.

Lavatera 'Black Heart' is a hybrid between Lavatera venosa and Lavatera assurgentiflora. It has medium green glabrous leaves and dark purple flowers. Plants reach 6’ tall with a 4-6’ span..

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Historical Reference: From Natividad to San Bartolome Bay is a distance of about twenty miles, and here a landing was made on the mainland of the Peninsula. In 1839, H. M. S. Sulphur anchored in this harbor, and the plants found at that time are listed in the Botany of the Sulphur ... Lavatera venosa grows upon a rock at the mouth of the harbor, and surrounded by water is preserved from destruction by animals that would like to feed upon it. The distribution of the Lavateras of these Mexican islands is very interesting. Lavatera venosa is extremely abundant on the San Benito Islands, and grows on San Geronimo Islands and at San Bartolome Bay. The leaves of the San Bartolome form are more laciniate than those from San Benito, and this peculiarity would seem to show that it is not a recent introduction from the latter. L. octidentalis persists on the cliffs of the canons of Guadalupe Island, in localities inaccessible to goats, and L. insularis belongs exclusively to the Coronado Islands near San Diego. L. insularis and L. octidentalis are not very distinct from one another. These three species thrive well in cultivation at San Diego and spread rapidly, but it is difficult to be certain whether many of the young plants belong to the Guadalupe or the Coronados forms, perhaps a result of cross-fertilization. Herbivorous animals are fond of Lavatera, and the presence of goats on Natividad would account for its absence there; and on Cedros in addition to these animals, so destructive to botanical interests, there are deer.

   Zoe: A Biological Journal
   By Townshend Stith Brandegee, Katharine Layne Brandegee
   Published by Zoe Publishing Company, 1900

Lavatera × clementii ‘Red Rum’

Lavatera × clementii ‘Red Rum’ | Dwarf Tree Mallow, Shrub Mallow

Lavatera 'Red Rum' is said to be a red-flowering Tree Mallow (as opposed to the common pink). In truth its flowers are a darker than average pink verging toward magenta. Even though it does not have red flowers, it is still a worthwhile shrub. 'Red Rum' is a floriferous perennial shrub with a compact habit, grown as a landscape or accent plant. The close clustering of the flowers makes an intense display.

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Historical Information: In 1996 'Red Rum' was bred by English plant breeder Ken Rigney in his garden at Southampton, UK, by open pollination. It is a cross between two other Lavatera cultivars: 'Bredon Springs' and 'Burgundy Wine'. 'Red Rum' is distinguishable from both parents by its darker flower color and compact growth habit. It is often erroneously believed to have been named from the Steven King novel, The Shining. Rather, 'Red Rum' is named after an English steeplechase race horse.

Lavatera maritima

Lavatera maritima | Bicolor Tree Mallow, Tree Mallow

Lavatera maritima (aka Lavatera bicolor) is a large shrub that grows 2-3m in height. The gray-green leaves are palmately lobed, the lavender-pink flowers have dark centers with radiating veins. It blooms year round with peak bloom from spring to late fall. This Iberian native is hardy to about 20° F. and is an excellent choice for the xeric garden. It's an all around tough plant suitable for problem areas or for exposed coastal planting.

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Historical Reference: Remarks.—Lavatera maritima, grows along the French and Italian shores of the Mediterranean, in Sardinia, in Spain, and in Algiers. At Mentone I have rarely seen this plant at any distance from the above-named formations, where it delights to wedge itself into the cracks of the hardest and most inhospitable cliffs, or to vie with Euphorbia dendroides, in endurance of the heat of arid and scorching situations. I have gathered it on limestone cliffs at Noli, east of Finale, where the leaves are peculiarly thick and almost fleshy, and it grows inland in the department of the Alpes Maritimes, at Le Bar, and St. Arnoux.

   Contributions to the Flora of Mentone and to a Winter Flora of the Riviera,
     Including the Coast from Marseilles to Genoa
   By John Traherne Moggridge
   Published by L. Reeve & Co., 1874

Lavatera olbia 'Lilac Lady'

Lavatera olbia 'Lilac Lady' | Tree Mallow

Tree Mallows form large upright bushes with wands of hollyhock-like flowers throughout the warmer months. Lavatera 'Lilac Lady' is more of a woody shrub, but can be cut back after flowering to increase bushiness. Small pale-violet flowers with darker veining bloom from sping into fall. The effect is more reserved than the pink flowered cultivars. Plants need to be staked in windy areas. Native to the hills and thickets of Europe and western Russia.

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Reference: Do you have Lavatera 'Lilac Lady'? If you feel some of the rosy-pink lavateras a bit overdone ―poor plants, it's our fault if we feel that way- then you might like to try it. Just now with renewed growth with cooler weather, all my Lavatera make a most welcoming entrance to the garden ―as do several bushes I enjoy when I drive through the village. But Lavatera 'Lilac Lady' is more upright, with less vigorous growth. Its narrow, maple-shaped leaves are felted grey-green, with smaller, flat-faced flowers about 5cm (2in) across, are translucent, silk-textured and pale lilac-blue, held in upright spires. Last year I was not too impressed, but this second year they have made handsome, shapely bushes, and are still in flower long after the colony of purple atriplex seeded beside them has gone.

   Dear friend & gardener: letters on life and gardening
   By Beth Chatto, Christopher Lloyd
   Published by frances lincoln ltd, 1998

Lavatera triloba ssp. triloba

Lavatera triloba ssp. triloba | The Three-lobed Lavatera, Mallow-tree, Malvavisco loco

Lavatera triloba ssp. triloba (formerly known as Althaea triloba, Lavatera flava var. purpurea, and Lavatera rotundata) is a shrubby perennial up to 2m in height. It can be found in open sunny spots in the western Mediterranean region (from Spain and Portugal, Sicily, Sardinia, Tunisia, northern Algeria and Morocco). It is often found growing along streambanks or other sources of water. Purple or yellow flowers are produced spring through summer on upright stems. An added bonus is the subtle pleasing scent of the flowers.

There are 3 subspecies of Lavatera triloba. Ssp. agrigentina has yellow flowers. Ssp. pallescens has purplish or pale pink flowers and Ssp. triloba, has purple or yellow flowers.

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Historical Reference: LAVATERA triloba.
Purple Rock Lavatera: A hardy, half-shrubby, herbaceous plant, delighting in exposed dry situations. It is well adapted for ornamenting rough masses of artificial rock-work. A native of Spain, where it is found in the maritime provinces, growing in some abundance upon cliffs and precipices. Flowers from June to September.

   ‪The Botanical Register:‬ Volume 12
   ‪Sydenham Edwards, John Bellenden Ker, John Lindley
   Printed for James Ridgway by S. Gosnell, 1826‬


Historical Reference: LAVATERA TRILOBA, Lin. THE THREE-LOBED LAVATERA.
Description —This species, which is somewhat shrubby at the base of the stem, grows about three feet high, and flowers abundantly, though the flowers are much smaller than those of the preceding species (Lavatera thuringiaca). It may be planted in any common garden soil, but it requires a little protection during winter. It is a native of Spain, whence it was introduced before 1759- The flowers, which appear in June, July, and August, have a strong smell of musk.

   ‪The ladies' flower-garden of ornamental perennials, Volume 1
   ‪Loudon (Jane)
   Published 1843‬