Serissa

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Serissa
Serissa.jpg
Bonsai version of Serissa japonica
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Serissa
Comm. ex A.Juss. (1789), nom. cons. prop.
Species:
S. japonica
Binomial name
Serissa japonica
(Thunb.) Thunb. (1798)
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • Buchozia {{L'Hér. (1788)}}
  • DemocriteaDC. (1830)
  • DysodaLour. (1790)
  • Buchozia coprosmoidesL'Hér. (1788), nom. superfl.
  • Buchozia japonica(Thunb.) Callm. (2021)
  • Democritea serissoidesDC. (1830)
  • Dysoda fasciculataLour. (1790)
  • Dysoda foetida(L.f.) Salisb. (1796)
  • Leptodermis nervosaHutch. (1916)
  • Leptodermis venosaCraib. (1916)
  • Lycium foetidumL.f. (1782)
  • Lycium japonicumThunb. (1780) (basionym)
  • Serissa buxifoliaDum.Cours. (1811), nom. superfl.
  • Serissa crassiramea(Maxim.) Nakai (1922)
  • Serissa democriteaBaill. (1880)
  • Serissa foetida(L.f.) Poir. (1819)
  • Serissa japonica(Thunb.) Thunb. (1798)
  • Serissa kawakamiiHayata (1915)
  • Serissa myrtifoliaDum.Cours. (1801), nom. superfl.
  • Serissa serissoides(DC.) Druce (1917)

Serissa japonica is a species of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. [2] It is the sole species in genus Serissa. [1] It is native to open sub-tropical woodlands and wet meadows in southeast Asia, from India, and China to Japan. It is commonly called the snowrose, tree of a thousand stars, or Japanese boxthorn. Snowrose and tree of a thousand stars are different cultivars. The only method of differentiating is measuring the difference in the shape and size of the flowers produced.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Description

Timelapse of a Buchozia japonica flower opening.

Serissa japonica is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub, 45–60 cm high, with oval, deep green, rather thick leaves that have an unpleasant smell if bruised (hence one of its synonyms, foetida). The upright stems branch in all directions and form a wide bushy dome. It is grown for its neat habit, good coverage of branches and long flowering time. It is also valued for its rough, grey trunk which tends to get lighter in colour with age.

It flowers practically all year round, but particularly from early spring to near autumn. The 4- to 6-lobed flowers are funnel-shaped and 1 cm wide. They first appear as pink buds but turn to a profusion of white flowers. Fertilizing is especially important during the long flowering period.[ citation needed ]

Cultivars

Many cultivars with double flowers or variegated leaves are also available. 'Pink Snow Rose' has pale pink flowers and leaves edged off-white. Other cultivars include: 'Variegata', 'Variegated Pink', 'Pink Mystic', 'Snowflake', 'Snowleaves', 'Mt. Fuji', 'Kyoto' and 'Sapporo'.

Bonsai

Serissa japonica is one of the most common bonsai sold in America and Europe. It is not difficult to maintain as bonsai, but is very fussy. Many beginner bonsai enthusiasts will destroy a plant in their uninformed attempts to care for it. The trees respond adversely by dropping leaves if over-watered, under-watered, if it's too cold, too hot, or even if just moved to a new location. The plant usually grows back to health when put back to better conditions. [3] [4]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Serissa Comm. ex A.Juss. Plants of the World Online . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 Serissa japonica (Thunb.) Thunb. Plants of the World Online . Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  3. D'Cruz, Mark. "Ma-Ke Bonsai Care Guide for Serissa foetida". Ma-Ke Bonsai. Archived from the original on 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  4. D'Cruz, Mark. "Ma-Ke Bonsai Care Guide for Serissa foetida Var. Mount Fuji". Ma-Ke Bonsai. Archived from the original on 2014-10-12. Retrieved 2011-05-09.

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