Carpenteria

Carpenteria Template:IPAc-en,<ref>Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607</ref> the tree anemone or bush anemone, is a genus of flowering plants in the hydrangea family Hydrangeaceae.<ref name=calflora/> It is closely related to the similar genus Philadelphus and is monotypic, being represented by the single species Carpenteria californica which is a flowering evergreen shrub native to the Sierra Nevada foothills in California.

Eponym

The genus was named in honor of Dr. William Marbury Carpenter,<ref>Glenn R. Conrad, ed.: A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography, Vol. I, A to M, The Louisiana Historical Association, New Orleans, La., 1988, pp. 24, 153-154, 303. 557.</ref> a noted botanist from Louisiana.

File:Carpenteria californica (Tree anemone). SDNHM ARV 1933-0493.jpg

Watercolor of Carpenteria californica by Albert Robert Valentien.

Description

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{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Ambox }} }} Carpenteria californica grows to Template:Convert tall, with flaky bark on older stems. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate, Template:Cvt long and Template:Cvt broad, glossy green above, blue-green to whitish and downy beneath.

The sweetly-scented flowers are Template:Cvt across with five to eight pure white petals and a cluster of yellow stamens. It flowers from late spring to midsummer. The fruit is a leathery capsule Template:Cvt in diameter, containing numerous seeds.

Distribution and habitat

The bush anemone is a rare species, endemic to only seven sites in Fresno and Madera Counties, where it grows in chaparral and oak woodlands at Template:Convert altitude, between the San Joaquin River and Kings River. It is well adapted to wildfire, reproducing by stump sprouts after burning. Natural seedlings are rare.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Cultivation

Carpenteria californica is cultivated as an ornamental plant, grown for its lush foliage, large scented flowers and drought tolerance. It is used in traditional and wildlife gardens<ref>NPIN−Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Carpenteria californica</ref><ref name=westhort>Western Horticultural Society: Carpenteria californica Template:Webarchive</ref> in subtropical and temperate locations in the northern hemisphere. It is hardy down to Template:Convert in sheltered locations in full sun.<ref name=RHSPF>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

It has been in cultivation since 1875, and is now much more common in gardens than in its natural habitat. It first flowered in England for the famed plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll at Godalming in 1885.<ref name=westhort/>

Cultivars include:

• 'Bodnant' — cold-tolerant cultivar, hardy to Template:Convert in the British Isles
• 'Elizabeth' — masses of smaller white flowers, more compact growth habit<ref>San Marcos Growers horticulture database: Carpenteria californica 'Elizabeth'</ref>
• 'Ladham's' — large flowers

The cultivars 'Elizabeth' and 'Bodnant' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>