59. Pieris formosa (Wallich) D. Don ERICACEAE
This attractive, but poisonous, evergreen member of the heather family is a widespread Sino-Himalayan species occurring from Nepal to Central China. It was first introduced to gardens from the Himalaya in the mid-nineteenth century. Later introductions, of more spectacular forms (some with bright red juvenile foliage), came from China.
Hand coloured lithograph of Pieris formosa from Curtis’s Botanical Magazine t. 8283
RBGE Living Collections Accession Factsheet
Accession Number:19734168
Scientific Name:Pieris formosa (Wall.) D.Don
Family:Ericaceae
Genus:Pieris
Epithet:formosa
Collector:Ludlow, Frank; Sherriff, George & Elliot, H.H.
Year:1947
Origin:Outer China incl. Tibet:Xizang (Tibet) Aut. Reg., SE:Po Tsangpo Valley; Showa
Elevation:2,743m
Plant:19734168B
Location:/Living Collections/Unplaced
Plant:19734168C
Location:/Living Collections/Unplaced
Plant:19734168A
Location:/Living Collections/Inverleith/W04/S/C030