Kew Today - Chilean bellflower

For a splash of colour from a Chilean delicacy, visit Kew's Woodland Garden

25 Nov 2009

  •  
  • Close Thanks for liking this page. Tell us why by adding a comment at the bottom.
Lapageria rosea (Chilean bellflower)

Closeup of the Chilean bellflower

Hidden away in the Woodland Garden, the beautiful evergreen climber Lapageria rosea (Chilean bellflower), comes from moist forest habitats in Chile. Its pendant, red, waxy flowers appear singly or in clusters over a long period from summer through autumn. In its natural habitat it is pollinated by hummingbirds, attracted by sweet nectar held in sacs inside the blooms.

Traditionally, the flowers are sold in autumn on branches backed with fern leaves, in the resorts of the south and taken to markets in the principal cities in Chile. The sweet and tender fruits, called ‘cucumbers’ are edible and the roots are often used as a substitute for the herbal extract, sarsaparilla (Smilax sarsaparilla). Lapageria rosea enjoys a sheltered, shady position in moist, well-drained soil.

The Woodland Garden is located just south-east of the Princess of Wales Conservatory. A tree canopy of oaks and birches supports climbers and provides shade for deciduous shrubs such as maples and rhododendrons, which in turn protect ground-cover plants like hellebores, primulas, Himalayan blue poppies and North American trilliums.

Don't miss it! Buy your tickets to Kew Gardens today

 

Share your pics with Kew...

Visit information

No comments on 'Kew Today - Chilean bellflower'

Follow Kew

Keep up to date with events and news from Kew

Sign up to Kew News

Related Links

Related Tags

  1. discovered
  2. around the world
  3. sustainable
  4. the UK
  5. at risk
  6. challenging
  7. successful
  8. together
  9. powerful
  10. ground breaking
  11. rich
  12. adventurous
  13. endangered
  14. rainforest
  15. uncharted
  16. irreplaceable
  17. needs help
  18. extraordinary
  19. beautiful
  20. english heritage
  21. historical
  22. interesting
  23. rare
  24. inspiring
  25. unusual
  26. rare
  27. old
  28. ancient
  29. Kew overseas
  30. amazing
  31. creative
  32. imaginative
  33. exotic
  34. innovative
  35. popular
  36. verge of extinction
  37. fragile
  38. urgent
  39. collections
  40. conserving
  41. protecting
  42. wet tropics
  43. gifts that help
  44. partnerships
  45. useful
  46. edible
  47. fruity
  48. pretty
  49. fieldwork
  50. South East Asia
  51. flowering
  52. of use
  53. hot spot
  54. wild
  55. fun
  56. woodland
  57. surveying
  58. english garden

Your Kew

We invite photographers to capture the sights at Kew and Wakehurst. These images are a selection of images submitted by photographers from around the world. We hope you enjoy them. You can see more on Flickr.

See your favourite reasons to visit