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Japanese Clethra
Clethra barbinervis
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A deciduous small to tall tree growing on mountain ridges and in open forests. In summer, numerous white florets bloom in spike-like racemes with a sweet fragrance. The bark is smooth and peeling, resembling crape myrtle. Young leaves are edible.
Identification Points
- ✓Numerous white flower spikes at branch tips in summer (July–August)
- ✓Bark smooth and thinly peeling (brown to grayish-white)
- ✓Leaves alternate, obovate with fine serrations
Habitat
Mountain ridges, open forests, and forest edges
Season
July–August (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Habitat
Mountain
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Petal count
Many
Petal fusion
Free
Stipules
Absent
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Stamen count
5
Phylogenetic Positionリョウブ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Ericales > Clethraceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 55 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Clethraceae belongs to Ericales; a small family restricted to Japan and East Asia, with conspicuous adaptation to acidic mountain soils.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification