Philadelphus lewisii

Philadelphus lewisii

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Genus: Philadelphus
Species: P. lewisii
Binomial name
Philadelphus lewisii
Pursh

Philadelphus lewisii (Lewis' mock-orange)—also known as Gordon's mockorange, Indian arrowwood, wild mockorange[1] (though this can apply to any species in the genus) and syringa[2]—a name that usually refers to the unrelated lilacs.—is a deciduous shrub native to western North America, from northwestern California in the Sierra Nevada, north to southern British Columbia, and east to Idaho and Montana. It is widespread but not very common, usually appearing as an individual plant amongst other species. It was first collected by scientist and explorer Meriwether Lewis in 1806 during the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Philadelphus lewisii is named after him.[3][4]

Description

Flowers

The shrub is rounded and grows to 1.5 to 3 meters in height. It sends out long stems which are red when new and fade to gray with age, the bark shredding in small flakes. The oppositely arranged leaves vary in size across individual plants but they are usually oval, 3 to 5 centimeters long, smooth or serrated along the edges, and light green in color with a rough texture. The flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of long stems, with four white petals up to 4 centimeters long and numerous yellow stamens. At the height of flowering, the plant is covered in a mass of blossoms. The flowers have a heavy, sweet scent similar to orange blossoms with a hint of pineapple. The fruit is a small hard capsule about a centimeter long with woody, pointed wings, containing many brown seeds. It is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9.[5]

Ethnobotany

Native American tribes used P. lewisii for numerous purposes. The hard wood was useful for making hunting and fishing tools, snowshoes, pipes, and furniture. The leaves and bark, which contain saponins, were mixed in water for use as a mild soap. "Native American used stems for making arrows,(USDA FS 1937)[6]:787 bows, combs, tobacco pipes, cradles and netting shuttles."[1] "Flowers are used in preparing perfumes and teas (Taylor 1972)."[6]:787

Cultivation

Lewis' mock-orange prefers full sun to partial sun. It is drought-tolerant, will grow in poor soils and is suitable for xeriscaping.[5] It provides a landscape with flashy flowers and a fruity scent.

Hybrids

Waterton Mockorange Philadelphus lewisii 'Waterton'

The Waterton Mockorange Philadelphus lewisii 'Waterton' was hybridized by the Alberta Horticultural Research Station in Brooks, Alberta, Canada. It is drought-tolerant and is suitable for xeriscaping.[5] It grows to 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) in height. It is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9. In 1933 Augustus Griffin noted that this plant was growing in what is now Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada on the east side of the Rocky Mountains.[5] Griffin (1883-1946) was a horticulture pioneer who collected, grew, crossed and tested plants at the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Headquarters Farm (now the Alberta Horticultural Research Station) in Brooks where he worked as irrigation engineer.[7][8] His former home is a registered historical site.[9]

Symbolism

P. lewisii is the state flower of Idaho.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Lewis’ Mockorange Philadelphus lewisii Pursh (PDF), Plant guide, 21 November 2003, retrieved 23 March 2016
  2. 1 2 "State Symbols USA: Idaho State Flower".
  3. ↑ "Wildflowers - Syringa Philadelphus lewisii Hydrangea family". USDA. nd. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Shaw, N. L. Philadelphus lewisii. In: Francis, J. K. (ed). Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions. USDA Forest Service. GTR IITF-WB-1.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Waterton Mockorange Philadelphus lewisii Waterton", Dave's Garden, nd, retrieved 23 March 2016
  6. 1 2 Bonner, Franklin T. (July 2008). "The Woody Plant Seed Manual". USDA. Washington, DC. ISBN 978-0-16-081131-9.
  7. ↑ June Flanagan (2000), "Brooks Oasis" (PDF), Alberta Views, retrieved 23 March 2016
  8. ↑ "Augustus Griffith", Alberta on Record
  9. ↑ "Engineers' Home, Brooks", Historic Places
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