Pieris japonica
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Pieris japonica, the Japanese andromeda or Japanese pieris, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan, where it grows in mountain thickets.[1] This medium-sized evergreen shrub or tree is widely cultivated in gardens.
Description
It grows to Script error: No such module "convert". tall, occasionally up to 10 metres. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are simple, obovate to oblanceolate in shape, 3 to 9 cm long, with serrated margins.[2][3] They are lustrous and leathery in texture and dark green in color while new growth is a conspicuous bronze or red eventually turning green.
It blooms from early to late spring with drooping trusses of fragrant, white or pink urn-shaped flowers about 10 cm long hanging from the tips of the branches.[2][3] Each flower is about 5 to 6 mm long and its clusters with their long blooming season[3] provide a decorative effect against the young red leaves. The flowers usually last two or three weeks.
The plant is poisonous if consumed.[2][3][4] The toxicity is a result of the grayanotoxins contained by the flowers and leaves. If flowers and leaves are ingested by humans, symptoms may include salivation, headaches, vomiting, cardiac failure, and death.[3] Cattle, goats, horses, dogs, and cats may suffer similar symptoms after ingesting the leaves or flowers of this plant.[5]
The name "andromeda" originated from an earlier genus name for the plant.
Cultivation
Pieris japonica is a popular temperate garden plant, producing colour in early spring. A calcifuge, it requires acid pH soil, typically in a partially shaded setting such as dappled woodland. It associates well with camellias, rhododendrons, and other lime-hating plants.
Cultivars
The following cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
- 'Blush'[6] pink/red flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Bonfire'[7] - pink/white flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Carnaval'[8] red/pink leaves turning green edged white, white flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Cavatine'[9] - white flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Debutante'[10] - cream flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Firecrest'[11] - foliage red to green, flowers pink Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Flaming Silver'[12] - young red foliage turning green margined silver, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Mountain Fire'[13] - red leaves turning green, white flowers Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Pink Delight'[14] - foliage bronze to green, flowers pink to white, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Prelude'[15] - cream/white flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Purity'[16] - white flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Sarabande'[17] - white flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
- 'Valley Valentine'[18] - red flowers, Script error: No such module "convert".
References
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