Japanese name: ハイノキ（灰木） Scientific name:Symplocos myrtacea var. myrtacea
[Overview]
An evergreen small tree found in forests in the mountains.
The bark is dark reddish brown.
Young branches are green and hairless.
Leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to broadly ovate, 3–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide, with a tail-like pointed tip and low serrations on the margin.
The petiole is 0.8–1.5 cm long.
Racemes arise from the leaf axils and bear a few flowers sparsely.
The corolla is white and deeply 5-lobed, with many long stamens.
The fruit is narrowly ovate, 0.7–0.8 cm long, and ripens to blackish purple.
[Uses]
The ash of the wood was used as a mordant.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It can be planted outdoors in areas without frost.
It prefers sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Avoid places exposed to strong direct sunlight in summer or strong afternoon sun from the west.
For potted plants, and for plants in the ground less than 2 years after planting, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for established plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
In winter, apply organic fertilizer around the plant.
Pests and diseases include aphids and scale insects.
