Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Plants Wanted Or For Exchange => Topic started by: Jean-Patrick AGIER on May 01, 2025, 03:58:38 PM
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Hello,
I've developed an interest in the genus Rehmannia ( the Chinese foxglove ) for some years. I grow 2-3 species ( out of the 6-7 species described ). I've found no article on this genus...Some of the plants seem to be quite similar to one another. There are particularly 4 species which are very rare: R.solanifolia, R.chingii, R.chrysantha and R.japonica. It would be very interesting to gather a valuable collection but I'm, still very far from it...There are a few forms or cultivars also described ( including white flowered ones ).
The French BG are reluctant to deal with ordinary gardeners and the BG in LYON ( where I live ) is not really interested ( with the exception of R.japonica ).
There's also a huge concern with R.japonica as in JAPAN it is listed as CR on the IUCN list. So it probably won't be available but - perhaps - from an ordinary gardener who already grows it???
I'm also looking for informations and articles on this underrated genus. I've found taxonomic descriptions on the flora of China website
Many thanks in advance for any help!
JP
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I am sure that I have grown one species or another, a long time ago...................
There are at least two species listed by UK seed companies, but neither species seems to be valid, according to Wikipedia.
Othe names are listed by UK nurseries.
There are numerous offering on EBay UK.
If the UK might be of any use as a source.
Searching for information etc. is severely hampered by the fact that one or more species is/are used in traditional medicine and are offered as various pills and potions. As you will probably have discovered. Doing an image search or searching for rehmannia seed is more useful.
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There are pictures of the Chinese species here: https://ppbc.iplant.cn/gen/258680