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A low growing mat forming species from China that is close to Plectranthus. When I bought it I was
uncertain about its hardiness. During the summer it grew rapidly and flowered. From time to time a press photographer will take a picture that summarises an entire story. This picture performs the same function in the garden history. It died in the first winter (which was harsh) so this is it. Plants of the World online says: "The native range of this species is E. Himalaya to S. China. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the subtropical biome." I bought it from Desirable Plants, their catalogue entry says: "Carpets of velvety purple foliage, hooded deep purple-blue fls in autumn. Mild spot in moist shade." An article in Guangdong Today (26.12.2022) says: "On December 23, a never-before-seen in Guangdong plant was discovered by researchers from the Baixi Nature Reserve in Heyuan city, Guangdong province. It was then identified as Siphocranion macranthum, a plant species found for the first time in Guangdong. Siphocranion macranthum grows in high latitude subtropical forests. It spreads low and its leaves begin green early in the year, but turn purple in the fall. According to Baixi Nature Reserve, the flower was found 850 meters above sea level in the nature reserve, and its specimen will be stored in the Herbarium Hall of South China National Botanical Garden. Based on available data, this plant is mainly distributed in northeast India, Myanmar, northern Vietnam, and China's Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces. The first discovery of Siphocranion macranthum in Guangdong has enriched the plant diversity of the province, and further accumulated first-hand information on the region's biodiversity." |
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| 27th March 2011 | ||
