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Sweet Osmanthus
Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus
キンモクセイ
An evergreen tall tree that blooms with intensely fragrant, small orange flowers in autumn. Widely planted as a garden tree in Japan. Native to China; since only male clones are common in Japan, it rarely sets fruit.
Identification Points
- ✓Dense clusters of small orange-yellow flowers in leaf axils in autumn (September–October)
- ✓Characterized by a sweet, intense fragrance
- ✓Leaves are coriaceous, opposite, with serrate margins
Habitat
Gardens, parks, and along streets
Season
September–October (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Petal count
4 petals
Petal fusion
Fused
Stipules
Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionモクセイ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Lamiales > Oleaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 70–60 Ma)
Evolution Notes
Oleaceae belongs to the order Lamiales and is a group in which aromatic compounds have diversified, alongside olive and privet.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification