''Carpenteria'' , the tree anemone or bush anemone, is a genus of flowering plants in the hydrangea family Hydrangeaceae. It is closely related to the similar genus ''

Philadelphus ''Philadelphus'' () (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 ...

'' and is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Carpenteria californica'' which is a flowering evergreen

shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and entert ...

to the

Sierra Nevada The Sierra Nevada () is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primarily ...

foothills in California. The genus was named in honor of Dr.

William Marbury Carpenter Dr. William Marbury Carpenter (25 June 1811, Feliciana Parish, Louisiana – 4 October 1848), a noted Southern United States, Southern Natural science, natural scientist. Education He was educated through private tutoring and attended the U.S. ...

, a noted

botanist Botany, also called , plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "botany" comes from the Ancient Greek wo ...

from Louisiana. Carpenteria californica (Tree anemone)

Description

''Carpenteria californica'' grows to tall, with flaky bark on older stems. The

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are opposite, lanceolate, long and broad, glossy green above, blue-green to whitish and downy beneath. The sweetly-scented flowers are 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 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 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.

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 Western Horticultural Society: ''Carpenteria californica''
in subtropical and temperate locations in the northern hemisphere. It is hardy down to in sheltered locations in full sun. 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 Gertrude Jekyll ( ; 29 November 1843 – 8 December 1932) was a British horticulturist, garden designer, craftswoman, photographer, writer and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, and wrote ...

at Godalming in 1885. Cultivars include: *'Bodnant' — cold-tolerant cultivar, hardy to in the British Isles *'Elizabeth' — masses of smaller white flowers, more compact growth habit *'Ladham's' — large flowers The cultivars ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Bodnant’ have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15324410 Hydrangeaceae Cornales genera Monotypic asterid genera Endemic flora of California Taxa named by John Torrey Garden plants of North America Drought-tolerant plants