Mitraria coccinea
Originating in Chile it belongs to the fascinating Gesneriaceae family where it is a monotypic genus. That means there is only one species in the genus Mitraria.
Mitraria is quite a hardy plant growing well outdoors in Christchurch. Botanically it is described as a semi-scandent shrub or a diffuse and climbing shrub. The best description is a semi shrub often scrambling over and through other plants.
During late spring or summer numerous bright orange/scarlet tubular flowers up to 40mm long and 7mm wide appear drooping from the leaf axils. As the leaves are opposite two flowers at a time grow. The flowers are not regular but have an inflated section along the tube giving them their typical tropical gesneriad look.
With its small, glossy, finely toothed evergreen leaves and attractive red flowers this is a very ornamental plant. In a semi shady place or on the south side of the house (where it gets some sun) and not to dry in summer it is a nice attraction.. Grown with rhododendrons and camellias in acid soils it does really well. If needed it can be shifted quite easily into a new position or it can be divided where the low branches have self-layered.
Mitraria gets its name from Mitra meaning mitre referring to the shape of the seed pod. Antonio Jose Cavanilles 1745 - 1804 was the botanist who first recorded and named this plant.
Mitraria coccinea plant was introduced by William Hobb for Veitch and Sons Nurserymen in 1846 and released into cultivation in western gardens in 1848. In 1927 it received an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in England.
Mitraria is quite a hardy plant growing well outdoors in Christchurch. Botanically it is described as a semi-scandent shrub or a diffuse and climbing shrub. The best description is a semi shrub often scrambling over and through other plants.
During late spring or summer numerous bright orange/scarlet tubular flowers up to 40mm long and 7mm wide appear drooping from the leaf axils. As the leaves are opposite two flowers at a time grow. The flowers are not regular but have an inflated section along the tube giving them their typical tropical gesneriad look.
With its small, glossy, finely toothed evergreen leaves and attractive red flowers this is a very ornamental plant. In a semi shady place or on the south side of the house (where it gets some sun) and not to dry in summer it is a nice attraction.. Grown with rhododendrons and camellias in acid soils it does really well. If needed it can be shifted quite easily into a new position or it can be divided where the low branches have self-layered.
Mitraria gets its name from Mitra meaning mitre referring to the shape of the seed pod. Antonio Jose Cavanilles 1745 - 1804 was the botanist who first recorded and named this plant.
Mitraria coccinea plant was introduced by William Hobb for Veitch and Sons Nurserymen in 1846 and released into cultivation in western gardens in 1848. In 1927 it received an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in England.