Philadelphus

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Mock-orange
Philadelphus × purpureomaculatus,
cultivar 'Belle Étoile'
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Subfamily: Hydrangeoideae
Tribe: Philadelpheae
Genus: Philadelphus
L.
Type species
Philadelphus coronarius L.[1]
Species

About 60, see text

Philadelphus (/ˌfɪləˈdɛlfəs/[2]) (mock-orange) is a genus of about 60 species of shrubs from 3–20 ft (1–6 m) tall, native to North America, Central America, Asia and (locally) in southeast Europe.

They are named "mock-orange" in reference to their flowers, which in wild species look somewhat similar to those of oranges and lemons (Citrus) at first glance, and smell of orange flowers and jasmine (Jasminum). But Philadelphus is a basal asterid, not closely related to Jasminum (advanced asterids), and among the eudicots quite distant from Citrus (advanced rosids). An entirely misleading name for Philadelphus that is sometimes encountered is syringa;[3] this properly refers to the lilacs, which are fairly close relatives of jasmine. The connection of the two shrubs lies in their introduction from Ottoman gardens to European ones, effected at the same time by the Holy Roman emperor's ambassador to the Sublime Porte, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, who returned to Vienna in 1562. The two shrubs appear together in John Gerard's Herball, as "Blew Pipe" (the lilac) and "White Pipe Tree", for the woods of both are pithy and easily hollowed out.[4]

Philadelphus is named after an ancient Greek king of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus.[citation needed]

Description[edit]

Flowering Lewis's Mock-orange (Philadelphus lewisii) in habitat

Most are deciduous but a few species from the south of the genus' range are evergreen. The leaves are opposite, simple, with serrated margins, from 0.5-6 inches (1–14 cm) long. The flowers are white, with four petals and sepals, 0.5-2 inches (1–4 cm) diameter, and commonly (but not in all species) sweetly scented. The fruit is a small capsule, containing numerous small seeds. The bark is thin and flaky, finely shredding in longitudinal strips.

Ecology[edit]

Mock-oranges are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia). A noted pathogen of the sweet mock-orange (P. coronarius) is the undescribed proteobacterium called "Pseudomonas tomato" (pv. philadelphi).

Cultivation[edit]

For a long time, Philadelphus coronarius was the only mock-orange of gardens, though some adventurous Americans grew the native P. inodorus that Mark Catesby had discovered growing on the banks of the Savannah River. It appeared in Lady Skipwith's garden lists and George Washington ordered some from Bartram in 1792.[5] Mock-oranges are popular shrubs in parks and gardens, grown for their reliable display of late spring flowers; the scented species are particularly valued. In addition to the species, there are numerous garden origin hybrids and cultivars available, selected for doubleness and large flowers, with some compromise as to scent.

AGM cultivars[edit]

The following hybrid cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-[6]

  • ’Aureus’ (P. coronarius)[7]
  • 'Beauclerk'[8]
  • 'Belle Étoile'[9]
  • ’Innocence’[10]
  • 'Manteau d'Hermine'[11]
  • 'Sybille'[12]
  • ’Variegatus’ (P. coronarius)[13]

In culture[edit]

Lewis' mock-orange (P. lewisii) is the state flower of Idaho.[14]

Selected species[edit]

Mexican evergreen mock-orange, Philadelphus karwinskyanus
Japanese mock-orange, Philadelphus laxus
Hoary mock-orange, Philadelphus pubescens
Schrenk's mock-orange, Philadelphus schrenkii

Asia[edit]

Europe[edit]

North America[edit]

Pancontinental hybrids[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Philadelphus | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://www.ipni.org/n/30007321-2
  2. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  3. ^ "State Symbols USA: Idaho State Flower".
  4. ^ Alice M. Coats, Garden Plants and Their Histories (1964) 1992, s.v. "Philadelphus".
  5. ^ Ann Leighton, American Gardens of the Eighteenth Century: 'ForUse or for Delight' , 1976, s.v. "Mock-orange", "Philadelphus".
  6. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 76. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  7. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus'". Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  8. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Philadelphus 'Beauclerk'". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  9. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Philadelphus 'Belle Étoile'". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  10. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Philadelphus 'Innocence'". Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  11. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine'". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  12. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Philadelphus 'Sybille'". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  13. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus'". Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  14. ^ "State Emblems of Idaho". Idaho Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  15. ^ English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 5690. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  16. ^ Philadelphus confusus Piper. Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange for California Floristics
  17. ^ Philadelphus cordifolius Lange. Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange for California Floristics
  18. ^ Philadelphus coulteri S.Watson. This species is accepted, and its native range is NE. Mexico (to Veracruz). Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  19. ^ Philadelphus microphyllus A.Gray. This species is accepted, and its native range is W. Central & SW. U.S.A. to N. Mexico. Plants of the World Online.

External links[edit]