Unknown · Public domain
About
Known commonly as the snowrose, tree of a thousand stars, or Japanese boxthorn, *Serissa japonica* is an evergreen shrub highly valued for its neat, bushy habit and its prolonged flowering period, which can last from early spring to near autumn.
Field notes
Morphology
It is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub, typically 45–60 cm high, featuring oval, deep green, rather thick leaves that emit an unpleasant smell if bruised. The flowers are funnel-shaped, 4- to 6-lobed, and about 1 cm wide, initially appearing as pink buds before blooming into a profusion of white flowers.
Distribution & habitat
Native to open sub-tropical woodlands and wet meadows in southeast Asia, spanning from India and China to Japan.
Cultivation notes
The species is popular for bonsai and is noted for its ability to recover when returned to optimal conditions, though it is described as very fussy and sensitive to changes in temperature or watering.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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