Zauschneria californica Presl

A subshrub to about 3 ft high. Leaves opposite to alternate, sessile, lanceolate, narrow-lanceolate, oblong or linear, 3⁄16 to 15⁄8 in. long, to about 3⁄16 in. wide, downy, sometimes densely so, on both sides, or the underside woolly, entire or distantly toothed. Flowers in terminal, bracted spikes. Receptacle scarlet, up to 15⁄8 in. long, funnel-shaped above the ovary, with spreading, triangular lobes, which are up to 1⁄2 in. long. Petals coloured like the receptacle, inserted at the mouth of the tube, deeply notched, spreading. For other characters, see generic introduction. Bot. Mag., n.s., t. 19.

Native of California and probably of Mexico; introduced in the 1840s. Clausen and his co-workers (see reference above) have shown that Z. californica, as usually understood, is a tetraploid species of hybrid origin, deriving from the two diploid species Z. cana and Z. septentrionalis (see below). Z. californica is variable, and some forms so closely approach one or other of the parents that they cannot be named with any certainty without knowledge of their chromosome-number. It is probable, however, that most of the plants cultivated as Z. californica do belong to that species, and those grown as Z. mexicana also, but there is need for further investigation. Numerous zauschnerias are or have been in commerce, differing little in colour of flower, but varying in habit, and in the relative width and the indumentum of the leaves; also – an important consideration – in flowering-time, for some forms of Z. californica produce their inflorescences so late that the flowers do not open in a dull, wet autumn.

Z. californica, in its dwarfer forms, is suitable for the rock garden, and is nearly hardy in a well-drained soil. Cuttings taken in late summer and overwintered in a frost-free house or frame will flower the following season.

From the Supplement (Vol. V)

† cv. ‘Dublin’. – A very floriferous selection with flowers of a brilliant orange-red, making a fine display in late summer and autumn if massed. The original plant grew in the garden of Lady Moore at Willbrook, Co. Dublin, and was propagated by Valerie Finnis (Lady Scott). The name ‘Glasnevin’, also used for it, is incorrect (Nelson, An Irish Garden Flora (1984), pp. 155–6).