Tuesday 9 March 2010

Camellia japonica 'Imbricata Magna'


Photographed at Monserrate 9th March, 2010
(c) Gerald Luckhurst

A large and very old camellia tree growing above the rose garden. As yet unidentified it complies with the following description:



Verschaffelt, 1856, Nouvelle Iconographie, Book VII, pl. IV

We have been growing this Camellia for several years. It blooms each spring both profusely and easily, and has proven invariable.We received it from Italy. Without being, for amateurs, a Camellia of the highest order, it is very peculiar because of its enormous petals, which are not numerous, well imbricated, of a vivid rose colour, with a broad, pure white median stripe. The petals of the centre are close together and hooded.


The international camellia register: Supplement to volumes one and two
Thomas James Savige, International Camellia Society
p. 873 Imbricata Magna Verschaffelt, 1844-1845, Catalogue p.25, Van Houtte Catalogue 1845-1846, 23:6 Imbricated, very full, rose.
Orthographic errors: 'Imbricated Maha', 'Imbricata Magno', Synonym 'Emilia Scotti'

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