Japanese name: ネジキ（捩木、綟木） Scientific name:Lyonia ovalifolia var. elliptica
[Overview]
A deciduous small tree 3–7 m tall, found in forests and on rocky ground in the mountains.
The trunk is twisted, and the bark peels off in long, thin vertical strips, so the scars left behind look twisted.
New branches are tinged with red.
Leaves are simple and alternate, ovate, 4–10 cm long and 1.5–5 cm wide.
Both surfaces of the leaf are sparsely hairy, and the midrib on the underside is rather densely covered with soft white hairs.
The leaf stalk is 0.5–1.5 cm long.
Slender racemes arise from the axils of branches produced the previous year.
The inflorescence extends sideways and bears white, tubular flowers hanging downward in a row.
The fruit is a spherical capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It prefers a sunny position with well-drained, well-aerated soil.
If the site is too shady, it flowers poorly.
Avoid places that are too dry.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless the summer is extremely dry.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter.
Powdery gall disease (mochi-byo) can occur.
[Notes]
The Japanese name derives from the twisting of the trunk.
