Radermachera is a genus of approximately 17 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae (order Lamiales), native to southeastern Asia. The genus comprises evergreen trees ranging from 5 to 40 metres in height, bearing bipinnate to tripinnate leaves that give them a finely textured, graceful appearance. Their flowers are large and bell-shaped, borne in panicles, and come in white, pink, pale purple, or yellow, typically 5–7 cm in diameter.
The genus has modest but notable horticultural importance. Radermachera sinica, commonly known as the China doll plant, has become a widely grown houseplant prized for its attractive compound foliage. A cultivar sold under the tradename 'Summerscent' (marketed as Radermachera sp. 'Kunming') is valued in Australia as a fast-growing, fragrant specimen useful as an informal screen or small tree.
With around 17 accepted species recognised by Plants of the World Online, Radermachera sits within the largely tropical family Bignoniaceae, which also includes well-known genera such as Jacaranda and Catalpa.
Etymology
The genus name Radermachera honours Jacob Cornelis Matthieu Radermacher (1741–1783), an 18th-century Dutch naturalist and member of the Dutch East India Company who cataloged much of the flora of Java and Sumatra.
Distribution
Radermachera is native to southeastern Asia, with species distributed across China (including Yunnan and Hainan), the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and the Philippines.
Cultivation
Radermachera sinica (China doll plant) is widely cultivated as a houseplant for its ornamental bipinnate foliage. In Australia, Radermachera sp. 'Kunming' (tradename 'Summerscent') is grown as a fast-growing, scented informal screen or small tree; hard pruning after flowering is recommended to maintain form, and cinturing before flowering can maximise flower production.
