An evergreen or semi-deciduous climber with slender more or less densely strigose shoots. Leaves mostly oblong-lanceolate to oblong-ovate, 13⁄4 to 4 in. long, 1⁄2 to 15⁄8 in. wide, abruptly to gradually acuminate at the apex, rounded or cordate at the base, dark green above, paler and rather glossy beneath, downy only on the midrib and margins, sometimes almost glabrous; stalk 1⁄8 to 1⁄2 in. long. Flowers purplish red, produced during June at the end of the shoot in a cluster 2 or 3 in. across, each stalk twin-flowered. Corolla two-lipped, 3⁄4 in. across, the lips much reflexed, the tube 1⁄2 to almost 3⁄4 in. long, hairy within, glabrous outside. Stamens slightly downy. Style hairy, protruded 1⁄2 in. beyond the corolla. Bracts awl-shaped, about 1⁄4 in. long. Fruits blackish purple. Bot. Mag., t. 8375.
Native of W. China; introduced by Wilson in 1908 and later sent by Forrest. It is closely allied to the more ornamental L. alseuosmoides, which has narrower leaves and glabrous stems. At Trewithen in Cornwall a plant from Forrest’s seeds has climbed 30 ft into a laurel and would invade neighbouring trees if not continually cut back.
L. henryi varies slightly. Plants with larger, less hairy leaves and larger flowers have been named var. subcoriacea Rehd., but this variety is linked by transitions to the typical state and scarcely worth recognition.