Japanese Spindle

Japanese Spindle or Masaki (Scientific name: Euonymus japonicus) is an evergreen broadleaved shrub belonging to the family Celastraceae, native to China and Japan. It grows naturally in coast and surrounding areas of Japan except for Okinawa. In the summer, spread the inflorescences from the axils, and light yellow-green four flowers are blooming. We will have red fruits in autumn and winter. The leaves are shiny and thick. When the fruit ripens it will split 4 and the seeds covered with vermiform red seed coat will be exposed from inside. It is used as a hedge because it is a garden tree and it is strong against pruning. There are Japanese Cheesewood or Tobera (scientific name: Pittosporum tobir) which are red fruits at the same time, but it is actually sticky, it can be distinguished by the fact that the leaves are spatula and there is no serrated teeth.

Generic name: Japanese Spindle or Masaki , Scientific name: Euonymus japonicus, Plant of Origin: Japan, China, Distribution Location: Okinawa Excluding Japan, Environment: coast and surrounding area, tree height: 2 to 5 m, stem color: green, material color: yellowish white, leaf color: green, leaves: birth, leaf shape: oval, leaf margin: gentle serrated, , Flower color: white to light yellowish green, flower: 0.6 to 0.8 cm, number of petals: 4, number of stamens: 4, fruit diameter: 0.8 cm, fruit shape: spherical, flowering period: June to July, : November to January of the following year.