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Agapetes serpens

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Agapetes serpens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Agapetes
Species:
A. serpens
Binomial name
Agapetes serpens
Synonyms[1]

Pentapterygium serpens (Wight) Klotzsch
Vaccinium serpens Wight

Agapetes serpens is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, that is native to the Himalayas. Growing to 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall, this semi-climbing shrub is cultivated as an ornamental for its shiny evergreen leaves and branches of attractive pendulous tubular red flowers, blooming over a long period. It is grown in climates from warm temperate to sub-tropical, but does not survive prolonged freezing (RHS hardiness rating H2). It requires a sheltered position in acid or neutral soil.[2]

The Latin specific epithet serpens means "snake-like".[3]

This plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]

Taxonomy

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It was first described in 1847 as Vaccinium serpens by Robert Wight.[1][4] In 1851 Johann Klotzch redescribed it as Pentapterygium serpens (a name which is not accepted).[1][5] In 1939 Hermann Sleumer transferred it to the genus, Agapetes, to give the species its currently accepted name of Agapetes serpens.[1][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Agapetes serpens (Wight) Sleumer | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  2. ^ a b "Agapetes serpens". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  4. ^ Wight, R. (1847). "Notes on Indian Botany". Calcutta Journal of Natural History, and Miscellany of the Arts and Sciences in India. 8: 171.
  5. ^ Klotzsch, J.F. (1851). "XXIII. Pentapterygium*) Kl". Linnaea. 24: 47.
  6. ^ Sleumer, H.O. (1939). "Agapetes serpens". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 70: 105.
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