Hortensia is the name of a flower (Hydrangea hortensia) introduced to France by the astronomer Le Gentil on his return from observing the transits of Venus in India. Although he originally proposed to name this flower Pautia, either name would honor the orbit computer Nicole-Reine Etable de la Briere Hortense Lepaute.
Discovered on 9-10-1993 in La Silla by Elst, E. W.