Karatachibana - Karatachibana

An evergreen small shrub of the Ardisiaceae family (APG classification: Primulaceae). It is also called simply Tachibana or Kouji. It grows to a height of 30-60 cm and does not branch out. The leaves are alternate, dark green, thick, and glossy. They are broadly lanceolate with a thin, pointed tip and have wavy teeth and glandular bodies on the edges. In July, about 10 small white flowers bloom in an umbel at the end of a 4-7 cm long stalk. The corolla is star-shaped with five deep lobes, five stamens, and one pistil. The fruit is a spherical berry 6-7 mm in diameter that ripens red in November and remains through the year. There are many horticultural varieties, such as Shiromitachibana, which has white fruit, Kimitachibana, which ripens yellow, and those with variegated leaves. It grows under trees in warm regions, and is found in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, and southern China, from the southern Kanto region. It prefers semi-shaded areas with moderate humidity, and is used as a garden tree or potted plant.

[Yoshio Kobayashi March 22, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ヤブコウジ科（APG分類：サクラソウ科）の常緑小低木。単にタチバナ、コウジともいう。高さ30～60センチメートルになり、枝を分けない。葉は互生し、濃緑色で質が厚く、つやがある。広披針(こうひしん)形で先は細くとがり、縁(へり)に波状の歯牙(しが)と腺体(せんたい)がある。7月ごろ、長さ4～7センチメートルの柄の先に約10個の小さい白色花を散形につける。花冠は星形に深く5裂し、雄しべ5本、雌しべは1本。果実は球形、径6～7ミリメートルの液果で、11月に赤く熟し、年を越しても残る。果実の白いシロミタチバナ、黄色に熟すキミタチバナ、葉の斑(ふ)入りなど園芸品が多い。暖地の樹林下に生え、関東地方南部以西の本州、四国、九州、沖縄、中国南部に分布する。適湿の半陰地を好み、庭木や鉢植えにする。

［小林義雄　2021年3月22日］

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