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 basalasterid, 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]
Descriptionedit
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.
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.
^"RHS Plant Selector - Philadelphus 'Sybille'". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
^"RHS Plantfinder - Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus'". Retrieved 24 April 2018.
^"State Emblems of Idaho". Idaho Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
^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.
^Philadelphus confusus Piper. Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange for California Floristics
^Philadelphus cordifolius Lange. Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange for California Floristics
^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
^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 linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Philadelphus.