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Sarcandra
Sarcandra glabra
センリョウ
An evergreen shrub of warm-temperate forest floors. In winter, it bears numerous round red fruits and is prized as an auspicious New Year decoration. Together with Ardisia crenata, it is a representative winter ornamental symbolizing good fortune.
Identification Points
- ✓Red to yellow spherical fruits borne in spike-like clusters in winter
- ✓Leaves opposite, elliptic with prominent serrations
- ✓Flowers without perianth, consisting only of stamens and pistils (achlamydeous)
Habitat
Warm-temperate forest floors, temple groves, and gardens
Season
June–July (flowers), November–February (fruit)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Shrub
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Round
Leaf type
Simple
Petal count
3 petals
Stipules
Present
Aromatic
Aromatic
Phylogenetic Positionセンリョウ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Basal angiosperms > Chloranthales > Chloranthaceae
Divergence Era
Early Cretaceous (ca. 130 Ma onwards)
Evolution Notes
Chloranthaceae, as Chloranthales, is positioned near the base of the angiosperm phylogeny, retaining the primitive floral form lacking petals and sepals.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification