Gyoryu - Gyoryu

A deciduous small tree of the Tamarix family (APG classification: Tamarix family). Also called tamarisk. It grows to a height of 3-5 meters. It has many branches and the twigs are thread-thin. The leaves are alternate, 1-3 mm long, small, needle-shaped, scaly. In autumn, they turn yellow and fall off with the twigs. Also called Satsuki Tamarix, it blooms twice, in spring and summer, with small pale pink flowers clustered together in spikes. The inflorescence that appears around May is on old branches, has five petals, sepals, and stamens, the stamens protrude outward, and the style is three-lobed. It is slightly larger than the summer flowers, but does not bear fruit. The compound racemes that appear in August and September are on the tips of twigs. The flowers are slightly small, but they bear fruit. The fruit is a capsule that ripens around October, and the seeds are small and pappus-like. Native to China, it was introduced to Japan during the Kanpo era (1741-1743) and is cultivated in gardens and parks throughout Japan, making it a good scenic tree for waterside areas. It grows well in wetlands and can also grow in slightly dry areas. It is somewhat resistant to damage from saltwater and sea breezes, so it is planted on reclaimed land on the coast. It is propagated by seed or cuttings.

[Yoshio Kobayashi February 17, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ギョリュウ科（APG分類：ギョリュウ科）の落葉小高木。タマリスクともいう。高さ3～5メートル。枝は多数分枝し、小枝は糸のように細い。葉は互生し、長さ1～3ミリメートルで小さく、針形の鱗状(りんじょう)葉である。秋には黄葉して小枝とともに落ちる。サツキギョリュウともよばれ、春と夏に二度花が開き、淡紅色の小花が穂状に密集する。5月ごろに出る花序は古い枝につき、花弁、萼片(がくへん)、雄しべはそれぞれ5で、雄しべは外に突出し、花柱は3裂する。夏の花よりやや大きいが、結実しない。8～9月に出る複総状花序は小枝の先につく。花がやや小さいが、結実する。果実は蒴果(さくか)で10月ごろ熟し、種子は小さくて冠毛がある。中国原産で寛保(かんぽう)年間（1741～1743）に渡来し、日本各地の庭園、公園に栽培され、水辺の風致樹によい。水湿地でよく育ち、やや乾燥地でも育つ。潮水、潮風の害にやや強いので、海岸の埋立地に植えられる。繁殖は実生(みしょう)または挿木による。

［小林義雄　2021年2月17日］

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