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Japanese Aralia
Fatsia japonica
ヤツデ
An evergreen shrub native to coastal forests in warm regions of Japan, widely cultivated nationwide as a garden plant. Characterized by large palmate leaves (20–40 cm across). In late autumn, it produces spherical umbels of small white flowers.
Identification Points
- ✓Large palmately deeply lobed leaves (7–9 lobes)
- ✓Leaves glossy and evergreen
- ✓Spherical white inflorescences in late autumn to winter
Habitat
Forest edges in warm regions, gardens, and parks
Season
October–December (flowers); year-round (foliage)
3D Specimen Model
Kyushu University, Shikano Lab (CC0)
View on Sketchfab→Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Shrub
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf dissection
Dissected
Leaf shape
Palmate
Flower color
White
Flowering season
Winter
Petal count
6 petals
Phylogenetic Positionウコギ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Apiales > Araliaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 70 Ma onwards)
Evolution Notes
Araliaceae is closely related to Apiaceae, with many large woody species. Fatsia occupies the ecological niche of winter flowering, serving as an important nectar source for hover flies active even in winter.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification