Abelia species ?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Took this Abelia photo at the Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, IN a couple of years ago but lost my notes on the species/cultivar. Can anyone ID from this shot? @Gardengal, are you out there? :)

And yes, only one "l" in Taltree.

Featured Answer

carol23_gw

6 years ago

I think one of my neighbors grows this. I remember looking it up once upon a time. Of course memory can fail. But it could be Abelia mosanensis which seems to have had a name change to Zabella mosanensis. The colorful calyxes attracted my attention to the plant. Let's see if I'm correct or not!

https://www.naturalista.mx/taxa/928197-Zabelia-mosanensis

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Comments (7)

PRO
KD Landscape
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
@carol23_gw Thank you!! mosanensis as the species rings a bell. Interestingly, both the Chicago Botanic Garden and Missouri Botanic Garden still list the plant as Abelia mosanensis. The National Gardening Association lists it as Zabelia tyaihyoni with Abelia mosanensis and Abelia tyahihyoni being synonymous.

Regardless of what those doggone taxonomists have been doing you have answered the question which was nagging at me. Thanks again.

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantcollections/plantfinder/abelia_mosanensis--sweet_abelia

https://garden.org/plants/view/128013/Fragrant-Abelia-Zabelia-tyaihyoni/
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mjkjrobinson
6 years ago
It sounds like an awesome plant and it"s fragrante!
KD Landscape thanked mjkjrobinson
Embothrium
6 years ago
Plant at first (carol's) link is Abelia x grandiflora - second link shows the correct A. mosanensis. Plant asked about is either A. x grandiflora also or A. chinensis.
KD Landscape thanked Embothrium
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
It looks more like x grandiflora to me as well.

And apparently the taxonomists have been more than active with this genus as there is no more abelia.......the entire genus has been reclassified. Most to Linnaea, a few to Zabelia and even a couple into Lonicera.

Sigh. Makes you wonder why folks bother to learn plant names at all! I'm sticking with abelia for the time being ;-)

btw, since we are talking name changes, the arboretum has changed names as well and is now known as Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest.
KD Landscape thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
PRO
KD Landscape
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thanks to all. Much appreciated. The now Gabis Arboretum is about 1.5 hours away and I'm overdue for a trip, especially since I didn't even know it is now part of Purdue. If by chance the plant is still there and tagged, I'll revisit this thread and post an update with a new photo.
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
apparently the taxonomists have been more than active

It's all based on one study but apparently this analysis is being met with acceptance. Regarding the part that involves Abelia the new interpretation includes Abelia, Dipelta and Kolkwitzia (among horticulturally significant genera) being placed within Linnaea. (Scroll down, click on Synonyms):

http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:6095-1
KD Landscape thanked Embothrium