Pieris japonica explained

Pieris japonica, the Japanese andromeda or Japanese pieris, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan, where it grows in mountain thickets.[1] This medium-sized evergreen shrub or tree is widely cultivated in gardens.

Description

It grows to 1- tall, occasionally up to 10 metres. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are simple, obovate to oblanceolate in shape, 3 to 9 cm long, with serrated margins.[2] They are lustrous and leathery in texture and dark green in color while new growth is a conspicuous bronze or red eventually turning green.

It blooms from early to late spring with drooping trusses of fragrant, white or pink urn-shaped flowers about 10 cm long hanging from the tips of the branches. Each flower is about 5 to 6 mm long and its clusters with their long blooming season provide a decorative effect against the young red leaves. The flowers usually last two or three weeks.

The plant is poisonous if consumed.[3] The toxicity is a result of the grayanotoxins contained by the flowers and leaves. If flowers and leaves are ingested by humans, symptoms may include salivation, headaches, vomiting, cardiac failure, and death.[4] Cattle, goats, horses, dogs, and cats may suffer similar symptoms after ingesting the leaves or flowers of this plant.[5]

The name "andromeda" originated from an earlier genus name for the plant.

Cultivation

Pieris japonica is a popular temperate garden plant, producing colour in early spring. A calcifuge, it requires acid pH soil, typically in a partially shaded setting such as dappled woodland. It associates well with camellias, rhododendrons, and other lime-hating plants.

Cultivars

The following cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pieris japonica . Fang Ruizheng, Peter F. Stevens . Flora of China . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA . 27 May 2012.
  2. Web site: Pieris japonica Landscape Plants Oregon State University . 2024-03-01 . landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu.
  3. Smith . M. C. . Japanese pieris poisoning in the goat . Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association . 173 . 1 . 78–79 . 1978 . 670056.
  4. Web site: Pieris japonica (Andromeda Japonica, Fetterbush, Japanese Andromeda, Japanese Pieris, Lily-of-the-valley Bush, Pieris) North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. 2021-03-11. plants.ces.ncsu.edu.
  5. Web site: Guide to Poisonous Plants – College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Colorado State University. 2021-03-11. csuvth.colostate.edu.
  6. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Blush' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  7. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Bonfire' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  8. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Carnaval' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  9. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Cavatine' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  10. Web site: Pieris japonica . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  11. Web site: Pieris 'Firecrest' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  12. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Flaming Silver' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  13. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  14. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Pink Delight' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  15. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Prelude' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  16. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Purity' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  17. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Sarabande' . RHS . 18 January 2021.
  18. Web site: Pieris japonica 'Valley Valentine' . RHS . 18 January 2021.

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