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Katsura Tree
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
カツラ
A deciduous tall tree native to Japan and China. Famous for releasing a sweet caramel-like fragrance when its leaves turn yellow in autumn. Heart-shaped leaves are opposite, and it grows into large trees along streams and in moist valleys.
Identification Points
- ✓Leaves heart-shaped (cordate), opposite, turning yellow in autumn
- ✓Emits a sweet caramel-like scent during autumn leaf color
- ✓Dioecious; flowers apetalous, blooming before leaves in spring
Habitat
Along mountain ravines and in moist valleys
Season
March–April (flowers), October–November (autumn color)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate
Habitat
Mountain
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Palmate
Petal fusion
Free
Stipules
Present
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Dioecious
Phylogenetic Positionカツラ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Saxifragales > Cercidiphyllaceae
Divergence Era
Early to Middle Cretaceous (approx. 100 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Cercidiphyllaceae is a monotypic family of 1 genus and 2 species, widely distributed in the Cretaceous but now surviving only in East Asia as a relict.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification