Introduction and Appreciation of the Chunlan 'Yuanji Mei' Variety
Also known as Zhangshan Mei. Selected in 1916 by Chen Yuanji in Lanxi, Zhejiang; formerly called Xintianxing in Yuyao. Called Yuanji Mei in Hangzhou. Leaves semi-arching, leaves of medium width. Leaf tips slightly pointed, leaf flesh thick, glossy; new shoots purplish-red, flower buds purplish-red. The three outer sepals are round-headed, with a slender base, level shoulders, tightly edged, with pale-colored vein lines (leech veins). Prone to wavy curling...
History: Selected in 1916 by Chen Yuanji in Lanxi, Zhejiang, and introduced by Ni Jingzhi to Jiufeng Ge in Hangzhou.
Characteristics: The three outer sepals have long stalks, round heads and a slender base; the paired semi-hard petals form the column; small Liu Hai tongue, with bright red dots on the tongue; the flower color is emerald green, and the flower shape closely resembles 'Wang Zi'.
Selected in 1916 by Chen Yuanji in Lanxi, Zhejiang, and introduced by Ni Jingzhi to Jiufeng Ge in Hangzhou. New shoots purplish-red, leaf posture semi-arching, leaf width moderate, leaf tips pointed and long. Reddish bracts, the ovary bracts have green coloration; the flower stalk is reddish, the scape lower than the leaf surface; the three outer sepals have a slender base and round heads, tightly edged, with level shoulders; the paired semi-hard silkworm-moth column, Liu Hai tongue, on the small tongue surface at the front of the tongue petal there is a distinct fine red dot, the flower color is slightly green. Not easy to bloom, with good structure, and the flower shape remains unchanged after blooming for a long time, but saying its bone strength surpasses that of 'Wang Zi' may be an exaggeration.
