Silver osmanthus
- Flower nameSilver osmanthus
- Scientific nameOsmanthus fragrans var. fragrans
- Alias銀桂, 木犀, 桂花, ginmokusei
- Place of originChina
- Place of floweringGarden, Park
- Flowering seasonSeptember, October
What is Silver osmanthus
Silver osmanthus or ginmokusei (scientific name: Osmanthus fragrans var. fragrans) is a small evergreen broad-leafed tree of the genus Osmanthus of the family Oleaceae that originates from China. In Japan, it is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Gold osmanthus (scientific name: Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus) is one of the varieties of the Osmanthus fragrans var. fragrans. The leaves are larger in length and width than those of gold osmanthus, and have a thicker texture. Around September to October, many small white flowers are borne in bunches from the leaf axils in the inflorescences. It is dioecious, and since there are only male plants in Japan, it does not bear fruit. The genus name "Osmanthus" means "fragrant flower" in Latin.
Common name: Silver osmanthus, scientific name: Osmanthus fragrans var. fragrans, origin: China, distribution in Japan: Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Aka: ginmokusei, Life form: evergreen broad-leaved small tree, height: 3-6 m, bark: light grayish-white, monoecious, leaf color: dark green, leaf texture: leathery, smooth and glossy, leaf length: 8-15 cm, leaf width: 3-5 cm, petiole: present, leaf blade: oblong, leaf margin: serrate, inflorescence: opposite, dioecious, flowering season: September-October, flower: white, joint flowers, inflorescence shape: bunching/scattering Inflorescence form: bunching/diffuse; corolla: tubular with 4 deeply lobed tips; flower diameter: 0.5 cm; number of stamens: 2 + pistil: 1; fruit color: blackish purple, but does not bear fruit in Japan; uses: garden tree, hedge, symbol tree, park.