Abelia

Inflorescence of hybrid Abelia x grandiflora

The Abelia ( Abelia ) is a genus of rich flowering and fragrant shrubs of the family of Honeysuckle ( Caprifoliaceae ). Their range extends from the Himalayas to eastern Asia, one species grows in Mexico.

Description

Abelia are low to medium- high, deciduous shrubs with small, ovate - rounded winter buds. The leaves are opposite, rarely in whorls of three to four. They are short-stalked, and have no stipules. The leaf blade is entire or has a serrated edge. The flowers appear singly or in pairs in the axils of the leaves. The two to five sepals are oblong- elliptical, and increase in size more or less to fruit maturity. The white, yellow, pink or red Corolla is fünfzipfelig, slightly zygomorphic, Roehrig, funnel- shaped or bell-shaped. The ovary is inferior and dreifächrig, with only one subject is fertile. The flower four stamens are formed. The fruits are oblong, leathery achenes, which are crowned by the permanent calyx.

Dissemination

Types of Abelia can be found from the Himalayas to East Asia, a kind in Mexico.

Systematics and history of research

The Abelia ( Abelia ) is a genus in the family of Honeysuckle ( Caprifoliaceae ), where they will be assigned together with the genera Dipelta, Kolkwitzia and Linnaea the subfamily Linnaeoideae. It was erected by Robert Brown in 1818. The name Abelia honors the British physician, botanist and naturalist Clarke Abel. The genus has about 40 species:

• Abelia angustifolia Bureau & Franch.
• Abelia anhwensis Nakai
• Abelia aschersoniana ( Graebn. ) Rehder
• Abelia biflora Turcz.
• Abelia brachystemon ( Diels ) Rehder
• Abelia buddleioides W.W.Sm.
• Abelia cavaleriei H.Lév.
• Abelia chinensis R.Br.
• Abelia chowii G.Hoo
• Abelia corymbosa rule & Schmalh.
• Abelia dielsii ( Graebn. ) Rehder
• Abelia engleriana ( Graebn. ) Rehder
• Abelia forrestii ( Diels ) W. W. Sm
• Abelia gracilenta W.W.Sm. Abelia gracilenta microphylla var W.W.Sm.

• Abelia serrata var buchwaldii ( Graebn. ) Nakai
• Abelia serrata var gymnocarpa ( Graebn. ) Nakai
• Abelia serrata var tomentosa ( Koidz. ) Nakai

• Abelia spathulata var colorata H.Hara & S.Kuros.
• Abelia spathulata var sanguinea Makino
• Abelia spathulata var stenophylla Honda
• Abelia spathulata var tetrasepala Koidz.

Use

Abelia are beautiful flowering shrubs with numerous fragrant flowers. Only a few species of the genus, however, are sufficiently hardy to be cultivated in Central Europe.

Evidence