Abelia chinensis, commonly known as Chinese abelia, is a species of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae. It is a semi-evergreen, densely branched shrub with dark green foliage.
| Abelia chinensis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus: | Abelia |
| Species: | A. chinensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Abelia chinensis R.Br. (1818)
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| Varieties[1] | |
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| Synonyms[1] | |
The species was described by Robert Brown in 1818.[1]
Description
editIt is a compact deciduous shrub[2] with reddish stems and glossy, small leaves that become reddish-brown before autumn. Its simplified-form flowers are funnel-shaped, white, and its pink sepals remain long after flowering. As long as the plant continues to make new growth during the summer, it will continue to flower. It is one of the most cold-resistant species within the genus.[citation needed]
Distribution and habitat
editThe plant is found in south-central China and south-eastern China, as well as Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Ryukyu Islands.[1][3]
Varieties
editFive varieties are accepted.[1]
- Abelia chinensis var. aschersoniana (Graebn.) Landrein (synonym Abelia aschersoniana (Graebn.) Rehder) – Lantau Island, Hong Kong
- Abelia chinensis var. chinensis (synonyms Abelia cavaleriei H.Lév. and Abelia rupestris Lindl.) – southern China, Taiwan, and Vietnam
- Abelia chinensis var. hanceana (Mart. ex Hance) Landrein (synonym Abelia hanceana Mart. ex Hance) – southeastern China
- Abelia chinensis var. ionandra (Hayata) Masam. (synonym Abelia ionandra Hayata) – Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan
- Abelia chinensis var. lipoensis (M.T.An & G.Q.Gou) Landrein (synonym Abelia lipoensis M.T.An & G.Q.Gou) – southern China
Cultivation
editAbelia chinensis is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.[4] The cultivar 'China Rose'[5] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Abelia chinensis R.Br". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ "Abelia chinensis". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ Qiner Yang & Sven Landrein. "Abelia chinensis". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ^ E.g., "Abelia chinensis R. Br". The Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ^ RHS Plant Finder 2017. United Kingdom: Royal Horticultural Society. 2017. p. 960. ISBN 978-1907057779.