| Lewis's Mock-orange | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Hydrangeaceae |
| Genus: | Philadelphus |
| Species: | P. lewisii |
| Binomial name | |
| Philadelphus lewisii Pursh |
|
Philadelphus lewisii (Lewis's Mock-orange) is a deciduous shrub native to western North America, from northwestern California in the Sierra Nevada, north to southern British Columbia, and east to Idaho and Montana. It is widespread but not terribly common, usually appearing as an individual plant amongst other species. It was discovered by Meriwether Lewis in 1806.[1]
The shrub is rounded and grows to 1.5-3 m in height. It sends out long stems which are red when new and fade to gray with age, the bark shredding in small flakes. The opposite leaves vary in size across individual plants but they are usually oval, 3-5 cm long, smooth or serrated along the edges, and light green in color with a rough texture. The flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of long stems, with four white petals 5-40 mm long and numerous yellow stamens. At the height of flowering, the plant is covered in a mass of blossoms. The flowers have a heavy, sweet scent similar to orange blossoms with a hint of pineapple. The fruit is a small hard capsule 1 cm long with woody, pointed wings, containing many brown 2.5-3 mm long seeds.
Native American tribes used P. lewisii for numerous purposes. The hard wood was useful for making hunting and fishing tools, snowshoes, pipes, and furniture. The leaves and bark, which contain saponins, were mixed in water for use as a mild soap.
Other names include "wild mock-orange" (though this can apply to any species in the genus), and "Syringa", a confusing name as it usually refers to the unrelated lilacs.
Lewis's Mock-orange prefers full sun to partial sun. It is drought-tolerant and will grow in poor soils, and provides a landscape with flashy flowers and a fruity scent.
P. lewisii is the state flower of Idaho.
Casebeer, M. (2004). Discover California Shrubs. Sonora, California: Hooker Press. ISBN 0-9665463-1-8