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Kibushi
Stachyurus praecox
キブシ
A deciduous shrub native to mountain and hill forest edges in Japan. In early spring, before leaves emerge, pendulous racemes of small yellow flowers hang from branches. The elliptical green to yellowish-green fruits were historically used to make wax for candles.
Identification Points
- ✓Pendulous yellow flower racemes appear in early spring before leaves emerge
- ✓Flower racemes are 5–10 cm long
- ✓Leaves alternate with serrate margins
Habitat
Forest edges and mixed woodlands of mountains and hills
Season
March–April (flowers)
3D Specimen Model
Kyushu University, Shikano Lab (CC0)
View on Sketchfab→Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Shrub
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Round
Flower color
Yellow
Flowering season
Spring
Habitat
Mountain
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Petal count
Many
Stipules
Present
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionキブシ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Crossosomatales > Stachyuraceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 55 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Stachyuraceae is a small family endemic to East Asia, comprising only the genus Stachyurus. It is placed in Brassicales under the APG system, though its phylogenetic position was long uncertain.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification