Flowers of Plumbago auriculata
Plumbago auriculata is also widely known as Plumbago capensis, a name used so often that it is even reflected in one of this species’ common names: Cape plumbago. Other common names include Cape leadwort and blue plumbago.
The confusion over the scientific name is explained by Alice Aubrey of Africa’s Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden in her account of Plumbago auriculata. In brief, Plumbago auriculata was named in 1786 by Lamarck from cultivated plants in the East Indies. Eight years later, Thunberg assigned the name Plumbago capensis from specimens collected from its native home in South Africa–it was this latter name that caught on and became commonly used. However, since Plumbago auriculata is the earlier published name, the botanical rules of nomenclature suggest giving credit where it’s due, hence Plumbago auriculata should be used. I think the difference between this scenario and the story behind Thujopsis / Dolophyllum is the era in which the “clerical” error was discovered. In recent years, conserving long-standing names occurs fairly often when a name change would generally be required for a technical reason.
The botanical garden in Colombia where this picture was taken, the Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis, is named in honour of a prominent Spanish botanist (2018 edit – it seems like Jardín Botánico de Bogotá is now used more frequently). Read more about José Mutis via the Encyclopedia Brittanica Online. “His Flora de Bogotá o de Nueva Granada, containing more than 6,000 illustrations, was so massive that the Spanish government could not afford to print it.”
Conservation resource link: Julie, writer of the Human Flower Project weblog, has an entry on Penstemon grahamii. It has long been argued that Graham’s beardstongue should receive some legal protection due to its rarity (less than 10 000 individuals exist). The need for protection has become yet more critical with recent proposals to explore and extract oil from the oil shale substrate on which Penstemon grahamii grows. If you are a United States citizen, you can help if you so choose–public comments are invited.
I just wished to add a web reference to Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis in Bogotá. It’s only in Spanish, though.
Thanks a lot!
Plumbago is graphite isn’t it? What is the connection?
The Plumbago is a plant that I have in house from always and is always beautiful also when of winter little suffers a cold like in this period, beautiful photo compliments,
Plumbago auriculata – Z9 – RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Plumbago auriculata – Z9-10 – A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell, Cole, Zuk
Thanks Andreas – good idea to link to the garden, Spanish or not.
Al, we had a look in a few books at the office. While a few authors speculate “possibly used in treatment of lead poisoning”, we’re more inclined to trust David Mabberley in The Plant Book: “formerly used to treat eye disease, a side-effect being the skin going lead-coloured”.
Mrs. Grieve said “It is acrid, and when chewed creates a free flow of saliva, particularly if root is used; said to be of benefit to relieve toothache, and has long been used in France for that purpose, hence its name, dentalaire; also useful for itch – a decoction of the root in olive oil is much used…P. Zeylandica is said to be a strong diaphoretic.” In Ayurveda, P. Indica is used topically as an anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic.
The actions of P. Indica are alterative, gastric stimulant and appetizer; in large doses it is acro-narcotic poison. Locally it is vasicant. It has a specific action on the uterus. The root of P. Indica is said to increase the digestive power and promote appetite.
“Plumbagin stimulates the central nervous system in small doses, while with larger doses paralysis sets in leading ultimately to death. The blood pressure shows a slight fall.
Plumbagin is a powerful irritant and has well marked antiseptic properties. In small doses, the drug is a sudorific; large doses cause death from respiratory failure. It is suggested that the action is probably due to the direct effect of the drug on the muscles.”
Holisticonline.com
Plumbago was the Roman name for plants of the plumbago genus, owing to the leaden color of the flowers. Plumbago was also the name they used for lead ore.
Can anyone testify as to application of specific epithet “auriculata”; where is it eared?
Is there anywhere in British Columbia (preferably Vancouver area) where I can purchase a blue plumbago plant – or seeds?
I live in Zone 5 in Pennsylvania and bought two Plumbago plants (white) which were on sale at a local nursery. Only when I brought them home did I research them & find that this plant is intended for Zones 8+. What can I do to ensure that these plants will “live long and prosper.?”
Maybe I’ll need to send them to my sister in Plant City, FL.??
I’m responding to Karen from Pennsylvania. I live in southern MN and have a blue plumbago. I have it inside in the winter and put it outside in the spring on my deck after all danger of frost is go. This is my 3rd winter coming up. It is about 4ft tall now and just gorgeous!!
Doranne
Minnesota