Description
Podophyllum versipelle is Chinese endemic species which has remained little known over the years. It has a 40-70cm tall stem with one large (20-50cm) umbrella leaf (rarely two) deeply cut into 6-8 lobes and edged with tiny, soft “teeth”. Underneath hang clusters of 2-15 rounded flowers. Normally these are of a deep- to garnet-purple colour with crinkled tips to the petals, all set around a paler madder-pink interior.
This is a brand new release (2019) and it is very different. It has been raised in Japan and was originally found among seedlings there. This new horticultural form has lost all of the red pigments in its flowers and the result is blooms of pure white. These have a satin sheen to the petals and the effect is both striking and beautiful. It is far more conspicuous than its purple kin and rather lovely.
The flowers (produced in a cluster under one of the leaves) flare open with age, to reveal the inner battery of yellow anthers, and as they mature in succession, the cluster usually has open 3-7 blooms and thus lasts for a long time. I have noticed that the flowers are ‘scented’ of corned-beef in the purple forms!
Strong plants, established here in a light leafy soil in humid shade. The rhizome becomes large, deep-seated and very drought resistant with time just needing a little care and attention in its first year, to help it establish. A splendid accent plant.
New to our lists November 2019
