Philadelphus mexicanus
Philadelphus mexicanus Schltdl.
Philadelphus mexicanus is an evergreen shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family, native to Mexico and Guatemala. It features pendent, bristly shoots and ovate, sometimes toothed leaves up to 11 cm long. The plant produces single, cup-shaped, rose-scented, creamy white flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. A cultivated variety, 'Rose syringa,' has fragrant white flowers with a central purple blotch.
Description
Philadelphus mexicanus, described by Schltdl. in 1839, is a spreading shrub found in several regions of Mexico and in Guatemala. It is characterized by its evergreen foliage and fragrant flowers. The leaves are ovate and may be partly toothed, reaching lengths of up to 11 cm. The flowers are individually cup-shaped, white, and emit a rose-like fragrance. One notable cultivated form is 'Rose syringa,' which exhibits a distinctive purple blotch at the center of its white blooms.
Distribution
El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Mexico Central · Mexico Gulf · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest
Synonyms
Philadelphus matudaePhiladelphus austro-mexicanusPhiladelphus glabripetalus