Synonym(s): Gordonia alatamaha, Gordonia pubescens
Image ID: 8161
Image by: Parkins, Grant Morrow
Image Collection: NCBG Digital Library
PLANT INDEX
ID_PLANT: FRAL
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Franklinia alatamaha
Include in WOTAS: 0
Publish to Web: 1
Last Modified: 2019-02-13
GENUS INDEX
GENUS CODE: FRANK2 GENUS SCIENTIFIC:Franklinia GENUS AUTHORITY: W. Bartram ex Marshall GENUS COMMON: Franklin tree GENUS SUMMARY: A monotypic genus, apparently endemic to e. GA (now presumably extinct in the wild). Franklinia is actually most closely related to the Asian genus Schima (Prince & Parks 2001); its closest relative in North America is Gordonia, from which it differs in its deciduous leaves (vs. evergreen) and globose fruits (vs. pointed). GENUS IDENTIFICATION: GENUS REFERENCES: Prince in FNA (2009); Bozeman & Rogers (1986); Stevens, Dressler, & Weitzman in Kubitzki (2004).
FAMILY INDEX
FAMILY CODE: THEACE FAMILY SCIENTIFIC:Theaceae FAMILY AUTHORITY: D. Don 1825 FAMILY COMMON: Tea Family FAMILY SUMMARY: With a more circumscribed definition (excluding Pentaphylacaceae), a family of about 9 genera and 450 species, trees and shrubs, of primarily tropical and subtropical regions of the Old and New Worlds. FAMILY REFERENCE: Prince in FNA (2009); Prince & Parks (2001); Stevens, Dressler, & Weitzman in Kubitzki (2004).
NCBG DESCRIPTIVES
INTRO: Franklin tree is a lovely small tree or shrub with camellia-like flowers and an orange blossom scent. It flowers profusely and continuously from late summer to frost. Fall color for this plant is also striking and ranges from red to maroon. Though the species has survived in cultivation, it is somewhat particular about its surroundings and is not always easy to grow. STEMS: LEAVES: INFLORESCENCE: FLOWERS: FRUITS: COMMENTS: The interesting story that accounts for every known specimen of this plant begins with John and William Bartram. In 1765, these well known botanists came upon a “rare and elegant flowering shrub†along the Altamaha River in Georgia. They collected seeds and brought them to Philadelphia to grow in their botanical garden. The plant was named Franklinia for Benjamin Franklin. Franklin Tree was rare even when the Bartrams first found it in 1765. It has not been seen in the wild since 1803 and all modern specimens are direct descendents of the plants raised by the Bartrams in Philadelphia. The plant may now be found in the gardens of Franklin Tree enthusiasts throughout the world. HEIGHT: 10-20 ft. DURATION:
Perennial
HABIT:
Shrub, Tree
LEAF ARRANGEMENT: LEAF COMPLEXITY: LEAF RETENTION:
Deciduous FLORAL CHARACTERISTICS
SYMMETRY:
BLOOM TIME:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
x
x
BLOOM COLOR:
White
Red
Pink
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Lavender
Purple
Violet
Brown
Not Applicable
x
FRUITING PERIOD: DISTRIBUTION
HABITAT TYPE:
NATIVE RANGE: GA (extinct) - now only in cultivation HORTICULTURAL
Plant Sale Text:
Bloom Table Text:
NCBG Location:
Cultural Notes:
SOIL MOISTURE:
Moist/Wet
LIGHT EXPOSURE:
Part Shade
MINIMUM HARDINESS ZONE:
MAXIMUM HARDINESS ZONE:
GERMINATION CODE:
WILDLIFE VALUE:
DEER RESISTANCE:
USDA Symbol: FRAL
USDA Common Name: Franklin Tree
Native Status: L48 (N)
Distribution: USA (GA)
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Tree,Shrub
WEAKLEY FLORA
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Franklinia alatamaha
COMMON NAME: Franklinia
SYNONYMY: [= FNA, K, S; = Gordonia alatamaha (Bartram ex Marshall) Sargent]
PHENOLOGY:
HABITAT: Habitat speculative, probably dry sandy ridges, near the mouth of the Altamaha River; believed to be extinct in the wild.
COMMENTS: It was native to the Coastal Plain of GA, where it was found by William Bartram near the mouth of the Altamaha River. It has not been seen in the wild since 1803 and is now considered to be extinct in the wild. It is sometimes cultivated in our area. Bozeman & Rogers (1986) discuss the history of this tree.
RANGE MAP: Franklinia alatamaha.png
Key to Map SymbolsABOUT FAMILY (Weakley Flora) Theaceae D. Don 1825 (Tea Family) SUMMARY: With a more circumscribed definition (excluding Pentaphylacaceae), a family of about 9 genera and 450 species, trees and shrubs, of primarily tropical and subtropical regions of the Old and New Worlds. REFERENCE: Prince in FNA (2009); Prince & Parks (2001); Stevens, Dressler, & Weitzman in Kubitzki (2004).ABOUT GENUS (Weakley Flora) Franklinia W. Bartram ex Marshall (Franklin tree) SUMMARY: A monotypic genus, apparently endemic to e. GA (now presumably extinct in the wild). Franklinia is actually most closely related to the Asian genus Schima (Prince & Parks 2001); its closest relative in North America is Gordonia, from which it differs in its deciduous leaves (vs. evergreen) and globose fruits (vs. pointed). REFERENCE: Prince in FNA (2009); Bozeman & Rogers (1986); Stevens, Dressler, & Weitzman in Kubitzki (2004).
HERBARIUM RESOURCES
SERNEC: Find Franklinia alatamaha in Southeast Regional Network of Experts and Collections (if available) UNC SERNEC: Find Franklinia alatamaha in
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Herbarium - Southeast Regional Network of Experts and Collections (if available)