Reinwardtia

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Read about Reinwardtia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Reinwardtia (named in honor of Kaspar Georg Karl Reinwardt, 1773-1822, scientist of Leyden). Linaceae. Subshrubs, sometimes nearly shrubs, suitable for the warmhouse. Leaves alternate, entire or crenate-serrate; stipules minute, subulate, caducous: fls. yellow, in axillary and terminal cymose fascicles, rarely solitary; sepals 5, entire, lanceolate, acuminate; petals 5, contorted, fugacious, much longer than the sepals; stamens 5; ovary 3-5-celled: caps, globose, splitting into 6-8 cocci. -Two species, India. The genus is closely allied to the flax (Linum), and Reinwardtia trigyna is known to this day as Linum trigynum by the gardeners, who usually accent trigynum on the second syllable instead of the first. Reinwardtia is distinguished from Linum by the yellow fls., 3-4 styles and unequal or deficient glands; Linum has mostly blue, rosy or white fls., 5 styles, and equal glands. Reinwardtias are showy subshrubs about a foot high with bright yellow flowers. They are useful for the decoration of the conservatory in winter time, at a season when yellow is scarce. To have presentable plants, it is necessary to give them a good deal of attention. It is difficult sometimes to get suitable cuttings; the strong growths which start away from the base when the plants are cut down make the best plants. Top- shoots will grow, but seldom make good plants, as they are liable to go to bloom prematurely. Sandy loam is the best compost. Plants that have been grown in pots for a season may be planted out in early summer, and these will make good plants and furnish cuttings. They will have to be topped frequently and carefully lifted. Young stock is better kept in pots, as the plants do not lift well. Sunshine is essential during the winter season to get the best development of reinwardtias. They thrive best in a temperature of 55-60°. (T. D. Hatfield.) The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

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