#historical introductions

• Astilbe davidii — The scientific name of David's astilbe (taxonomically considered a synonym or a tall variety within the Astilbe chinensis complex, e.g., Astilbe chinensis var. davidii), a perennial herbaceous plant in the Saxifragaceae family, native to northern and central China; it is characterized by a vigorous and tall habit (often reaching 1.5 to 2 meters), long flowering stems covered with brown hairs, and large, branched panicles with bright pink-purple flowers.