Franklinia tree behind Congress Hall, Phila PA - National Park Service photo

Nature Conservancy ("Sightings", Spring 2003, page 13)project returns the Franklina to its origins on the banks of the Altamaha River.
The American Gardener, May/June 2004 (Volume 83, Number 3), Gardener Notebook (page 48): Cross of Franklina and Schima argentea.

            

Against All Odds: Growing Franklinia in Boston (PDF) Arnold Arboretum's Arnoldia Volume 63 number 4, 2005 Centennial of their Franklinia tree.

The Franklinia tree, discovered by John Bartram, King George III's botanist, and his son, William, in Georgia in 1765,
has not been seen in the wild since 1803.Credit...The Natural History Museum, London, see
The New York Times 10 16 2020 (PDF) How Many Plants Have We Wiped Out? Here Are 5 Extinction Stories.

Atlas of Early American History - The Revolutionary Era 1760-1790
Lester J Cappon, Editor-in-Chief
Princeton University Press
1976
Text of article on pages 108-109: Bartram.pdf  (2 pages) , and maps (JPG) from page 33. Old book from BCLS, may be out of print.
            
Franklinia found in Maryland:   WROT   If not longer available, here is a PDF: Franklinia found in Maryland

"We missed our way and fell four miles below Fort Barrington," wrote botanist John Bartram on October 1, 1765, while traveling in a swampy region on the coast of southeast Georgia. Rarely in botanical history has so small a peregrination lead to such fortuitous results. On that day Bartram reported a plant new to science. The Mysterious Disappearance of the Franklin Trees. The Enigmatic History of Franklinia alatamaha

Photo of a Historical marker with brief Franklinia history         Larger Sizes (marker reads as below)
Franklinia Altamaha The Franklin Tree (Franklinia Altahama) was discovered by John Bartram, the first Native American Botanist. On October 1, 1765, it was located about 18 miles south of here in the swamp lands of the Altahama River. This tree was names after Benjamin Franklin and became famous as the lost Franklinia. A member of the Camellia family, this flowering tree was last seen growing wild in 1790. A specimen transplanted to Bartram's garden in Philadelphia, PA survived and became the ancestors of the present cultivated plants.

From book: F. alatamaha requires a sheltered woodland position in a very mild and favorable locality.It naturally develops an upright habit, and may reach a height of 3 meters. (10 ft.) or more. Specimens often display a tendency to branch from near the base, but there is no need to restrict growth to one stem. No regular pruning is necessary, apart from cutting back any growths from sheltering shrubs that overgrow it and compete for light.This should be done carefully to conceal the cuts, and to leave an informal effect.

Franklinia Links

The Bartram Trail Conference  Map, history, more.
Historic Bartram's Garden - The Franklinia Story  Drawing of flower & fruit, history. See other areas of site for more information.
Bartram Garden's Census   Historic Bartram's Gardens Franklinia list in alphabetical order. Taken earlier 2000's.
Wikipedia  Article, information on seeds.
Missouri Botanical Garden  Description of Franklinia and its culture.  Excellent source for plant information.
Oregon State University  Description
Tree Trails  Short history, photo
University of Connecticut Plant Database  Detailed description. Photos.
University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service  Detail decription. US Range Map. There is a Franklinia at the University of Florida Leon County Extension Office arboretum (Thanks to Stan Rosenthal for letting me know).
Virginia Cooperative Extension  Several Franklinia PDF.
America's 'First' Rare Plant The Franklinia Tree Excellent article, or page 183 of pdf:  Spring-Summer 2006 issue
Garden Web Botany Forum  Forum discussion of the Franklinia.
Arnold's Arboretum 2005 Franklinia Article or PDF download  665.pdf Includes photos and drawing, and citation for further research.
Floridata  Short history and cultivation information. Site says Franklinia is susceptibility to verticillium wilt disease. Suggest sowing seeds immediately.
Looking for the Franklinia--  Reprint of an article from American Forestery - after 200 years could a wild Franklinia be located.
NC Natural's William Bartram Profile - page 2  History.
University of North Carolina Library  Bartram's Travels - Entire book
Franklinia Hybrid  Hybrid of Franklinia and Schima argentea announced by NC State University.
New Georgia Encyclopedia  Beautiful late summer-early fall photo
Tree of the Month PennStateExtension September 2012
NatureServe Explorer  Detailed information. May need to "click here" and search Franklinia
Amasci.com  Photos, history. See "Article" at bottom: Terrain.org Great deal of information and the 33 cent stamp.
NRCS  USDA Plant Polfile

2024 Additions
How to Grow Franklinia  Harvest to Table
Franklinia - a Horticultural Mystery Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery
The Franklin Tree Is a Garden Beauty with an Interesting History Horticulture (Magazine) or download Horticulture.pdf

2025 Additions
Gardenology.org From site: "Franklinia fruit develops slowly. The seed capsules require 12-14 months to mature. When ripe the 5-valved spherical capsules split above and below in a unique manner. Anecdotal evidence suggests viable seed production is enhanced where two or more plants are present in close proximity." And capsules turn brown from initial green color.
@GardenClips (youtube) Just under 5 minutes

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