Plants of the Week: June 1

Staphylea colchica

Native to the country of Georgia and the Caucasus mountain range, its common name is the caucasian bladdernut. The simple white flowers are borne in pendulous clusters and mature into inflated, bladder-like pods. The genus comes from greek word meaning “cluster”; the species designation refers to the ancient kingdom of Colchis on the black sea. In the family staphyleaceae it is closely related to the locally-native eastern bladdernut Staphylea trifolia.
photo credit: J. Bickel

Aesculus x carnea ‘Briotii’

Close to the Frats here on campus and blooming for a short spell is the the hybrid cultivar ‘Briotii’. The hybridization occurred between Aesculus hippocastanum,the common horse-chestnut and Aesculus pavia, the red buckeye creating a lovely display of large clusters of bright, frilly, pinkish-red blooms. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the cultivar was named in 1858 in honor of Pierre Louis Briot, the nurseryman at the palace of Versailles in France. photo credit: J. Bickel

Paeonia rockii

Every year when the peonies in the Tree Peony Collection bloom, the campus shines just a tad brighter. I thoroughly enjoy the multitude of expressive, dinner plate sized flowers that arrive in myriad colors. I decided to feature this one in particular because it is not a cultivated variety, but rather a simple, yet exquisite species Paeonia. The flowers are about 8”-10” wide with tissue white petals and a strong fragrance. Named for Joseph Rock the explorer/botanist. photo credit: J. Bickel