Pieris japonica
| Japanese andromeda | |
|---|---|
| |
| Inflorescence | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Pieris |
| Species: | P. japonica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pieris japonica (Thunb.) D. Don ex G. Don
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Andromeda japonica Thunb. L. | |
Pieris japonica, the Japanese andromeda or Japanese pieris, is a plant in the family Ericaceae. It is native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan where it grows in mountain thickets.[2]
It is also widely cultivated in gardens, and parent to the cultivated hybrid Pieris 'Forest Flame'.
Description
Pieris japonica is a shrub or a small tree (1–4 metres or 3.3–13.1 feet tall, occasionally up to 10 metres) with alternate, simple leaves on brittle stems. The flowers are white and borne in early spring. The plant is poisonous if consumed by people or animals.[3] The name "andromeda" originated from an earlier genus name for the plant. The flower blooms in February or March and lasts usually for two or three weeks. There is neurotoxin (grayanotoxin) in its petals, leaves, and pollen. It will cause painful burning in the mouth when eaten, and when ingested could lead to seizures, temporary blindness, or even a coma.[4]
References
- ^ "Pieris japonica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ Fang Ruizheng, Peter F. Stevens. "Pieris japonica". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ Smith, M. C. (1978). "Japanese pieris poisoning in the goat". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 173 (1): 78–79. PMID 670056.
- ^ Robinson, Gaius. "Pieris Japonica--Stay Away Deer". Retrieved 26 June 2015.
External links
- Pieris japonica Images at bioimages.Flavon's Wild herb and Alpine plants
- - information about the poisonous connection to this plant
- Wikimedia Commons Pieris japonica image gallery.
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