Hortonoki
- Flower nameHortonoki
- Scientific nameElaeocarpus sylvestris
- Aliasモガシ
- Place of originJapan
- Place of floweringGarden
- Flowering seasonJuly, August
What is Hortonoki
Hortonoki , elaeocarpus sylvestris or woodland elaeocarpus (Scientific name: Elaeocarpus sylvestris) is an evergreen tree native to Japan and belongs to the family Elaeocarpaceae. It produces many small white, bell-shaped flowers in summer by growing spikelets from the tips of its lateral flower stalks. The leaves are thick-fleshed. It is similar to Myrica rubra (Yamamamo, Scientific name:Morella rubra). However, M. rubra has a small axillary line on the underside of the leaf, while E. sylvestris does not.
The old leaves partially turn red all year round among the young green leaves. It is important as a tall tree in the forest, but is not as valuable as wood, and is used exclusively for garden trees. The fruit is similar to that of the olive (scientific name: Olea europaea).
General name: Hortonoki , Scientific name: Elaeocarpus sylvestris, also known as the mogashi, the camphor tree, Origin: Japan, Distribution: West and beyon of Chiba Prefectured, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa to East Asia, Environment: Warm temperate zone, Tree height: 15 m, Leaf Shape: inverted ovoid, leaf color: green (both sides), leaf margin: shallow serrated, flowering season: July-August, flower color: white, flower diameter: 1 cm, fruit color: green to black, fruit shape: long oval, fruit diameter: 1.5 to 2 cm, use: black dye, garden tree.