Rhaphiolepis umbellata (Thunb.) Makino

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Rhaphiolepis umbellata' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhaphiolepis/rhaphiolepis-umbellata/). Accessed 2024-03-28.

Synonyms

  • Laurus umbellata Thunb.
  • R. japonica Sieb. & Zucc.
  • R. ovata Briot
  • R. umbellata f. ovata (Briot) Schneid.
  • R. umbellata var. integerrima Hook.

Glossary

calyx
(pl. calyces) Outer whorl of the perianth. Composed of several sepals.
entire
With an unbroken margin.
glabrous
Lacking hairs smooth. glabrescent Becoming hairless.
midrib
midveinCentral and principal vein in a leaf.
panicle
A much-branched inflorescence. paniculate Having the form of a panicle.
raceme
Unbranched inflorescence with flowers produced laterally usually with a pedicel. racemose In form of raceme.

References

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Rhaphiolepis umbellata' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/rhaphiolepis/rhaphiolepis-umbellata/). Accessed 2024-03-28.

An evergreen shrub of sturdy, rounded form, up to 10 ft in height, with downy young wood. Leaves very stout and leathery, broadly oval or obovate, tapering at the base to a stout stalk 12 in. long, round or blunt-pointed, the terminal part usually shallow-toothed, the lower entire, 112 to 312 in. long, about two-thirds as much wide. When young, the leaf is covered on both sides with a loose felt of grey down which rapidly falls away, leaving the surfaces quite glabrous, or with a few pieces of down about the midrib. Flowers fragrant, white, 34 in. across, produced in a stiff terminal panicle or raceme 3 or 4 in. high, in June. Calyx very woolly, funnel-shaped, with five narrow, pointed lobes. Fruits pear-shaped, blue-black, erect, 12 in. long, one-seeded. Bot. Mag., t. 5510.

Native of Japan and Korea; introduced about 1862. This striking shrub would appear to be hardier than is generally supposed; it is quite healthy in the open at Kew, but no doubt likes a sheltered spot. It is a handsome shrub, well worth growing for the sake of its pure white scented blossoms. Propagated by seeds, or cuttings made of half-ripened shoots.