Japanese name: サルココッカ コンフサ Scientific name:Sarcococca confusa
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub about 2 m tall.
It branches densely and grows thickly.
The leaves are simple and alternate, ovate, 3–5 cm long, and glossy on the upper surface.
The leaf margins are entire.
There are male and female flowers, both borne in racemes from the leaf axils, with the female flowers at the base of the inflorescence.
The flowers are white to cream, have no petals, and are fragrant.
The fruit is a spherical drupe that ripens from red to black.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers partial shade to shade and a fertile, moderately moist soil that drains well and retains water.
Avoid places exposed to strong afternoon sun or places that become dry.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil becomes dry.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
