japonicus – “of Japan”

Native range: China, Korea, Japan

Leaves:

• alternate
• simple
• ovate to narrowly oblong 3” long, 1–1.5” wide
• acuminate tip
• serrate margin on upper part of leaf

Flowers:

• inflorescence – pendulous racemes w/ 1–6 white bell-shaped flowers
• ~1” (2.5 cm) across
• long pedicels (individual flower stems), >1.5 cm
• 5 sepals, petals
• 1 style, long
• 10–16 stamens, attached high on the petals
• fragrant

Fruit:

• fleshy drupe w/one large seed
• ovoid or ellipsoidal
• ~1⁄2” across

Other characteristics:

• small deciduous tree to 30 ft.
• many spreading branches
• thin gray bark

Relevant info:

• reseeds in PNW
• locally naturalized in three northeastern states in U.S.
• many cultivars have been developed

Ecology & Adaptations:

• native to China, Vietnam, Laos, Korea, Japan & Philippines
• disjunct distribution in China is probably explained by human disturbance of habitat
• found in open wooded habitats, in woodlands and forest edges, forested slopes, secondary successional habitats, rarely in dense shade, mostly in mesic microhabitats, such as canyons, draws, ravines, and other riparian situations
• 0–2700 m.
• pollinated by bees, including honey bees that produce prized honey in South Korea
• seed dispersal – exhibits a distinct type of seed attachment that may aid dispersal: after the fruit wall has become detached, the seeds remain attached to the receptacle (base of the flower) where the seed attached to the ovary, so the seeds, which would otherwise sink, can thus be transported in water by the floating infructescence
• herbivore/pathogen defense – contains multiple compounds (such as saponin) in tissues and oils that deter herbivory and inhibit microbial infection