Japanese name: トキワマンサク（常磐満作） Scientific name:Loropetalum chinense
[Overview]
An evergreen small tree 3–6 m tall.
Stellate hairs grow densely over the whole plant.
The leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to broadly ovate, 1.5–4 cm long and 0.8–2 cm wide, entire, and rather thick.
The petiole is 2–3 mm long.
Racemose or capitate inflorescences at the branch tips bear 3–8 flowers.
The flowers are yellowish white with 4 petals, which are string-like and about 2 cm long.
The fruit is a capsule, ellipsoid-globose, 6–7 mm long, densely covered with stellate hairs, and contains 2 black seeds.
[Uses]
The flowers, leaves and roots are used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile site.
It is sensitive to cold; for planting in the open ground, warm areas from Kanto westward are suitable, but care is needed against summer dryness.
For potted plants and plants in the ground for less than 2 years, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for established plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny summer weather continues and the soil dries out.
Apply organic fertilizer around the plant in winter.
It sprouts well even after hard pruning.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
