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1.Cleyera Japonica — Overview
Cleyera japonica, commonly known as Japanese Cleyera or Sakaki, is a highly esteemed evergreen shrub or small tree native to warm-temperate regions of East Asia, encompassing Japan, Korea, and parts of China. Belonging to the family Pentaphylacaceae, a botanical classification recently revised from the traditional Theaceae, this species typically attains a height of 3 to 10 meters, though it can grow taller in ideal forest conditions, sometimes reaching up to 15 meters. Its robust, upright growth habit makes it a prominent feature in its natural habitat, often forming dense understory layers or elegant specimens along forest edges. The foliage is perhaps its most striking feature: the leaves are simple, alternate, and distinctively glossy, leathery, and dark green, providing a vibrant, lush appearance year-round.
They are ovate to elliptical in shape, measuring approximately 5-10 cm in length and 2-4 cm in width, characterized by a smooth or subtly undulate margin and a prominent midrib that often displays a reddish hue on the underside. Young leaves often emerge with a reddish-bronze tint before maturing to their deep green. The bark is smooth and reddish-brown when young, gradually becoming grayer and slightly fissured with age. In late spring to early summer, Cleyera japonica produces small, pendulous, bell-shaped flowers that are creamy white to pale yellow.
These blossoms, often solitary or in small clusters in the leaf axils, are highly fragrant, emitting a sweet, delicate scent that attracts a diverse array of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Following successful pollination, the plant develops small, spherical to ovoid fruits, typically 5-8 mm in diameter, which mature from green to a striking glossy red or black in autumn and persist through winter, offering a valuable food source for birds and adding ornamental value. The root system is generally fibrous and extensive, aiding in soil stabilization and nutrient absorption in its preferred well-drained, organic-rich soils. This plant is also culturally significant, particularly in Shinto rituals, where its evergreen branches symbolize eternity.
Trusted Scientific References
1. Authoritative external sources for Cleyera japonica
1.1 Wikipedia — Cleyera japonica
1.2 Kew POWO (Plants of the World Online)
1.3 PubMed — peer-reviewed research
1.4 NCBI Taxonomy Browser
1.5 GBIF — Global Biodiversity
1.1.Cleyera Japonica — Key Features
- ✓ <strong>Broadleaf Evergreen</strong> — Maintains lush foliage year-round, providing consistent visual interest.
- ✓ <strong>Fragrant Flowers</strong> — Emits a sweet, delicate scent from small, creamy white blossoms in late spring to early summer.
- ✓ <strong>Showy Winter Berries</strong> — Produces glossy red or black fruits that persist through the colder months, offering visual appeal and wildlife food.
- ✓ <strong>Cultural Significance</strong> — Highly sacred in Japan's Shinto religion (Sakaki), symbolizing eternity and divine connection.
- ✓ <strong>Drought Tolerant</strong> — Once established, demonstrates good resistance to dry conditions, making it relatively low maintenance.
- ✓ <strong>Shade Tolerant</strong> — Adaptable to various light conditions, from full sun to nearly full shade, especially in warmer climates.
- ✓ <strong>Fine Texture</strong> — The dense, glossy foliage creates a refined and elegant appearance in landscapes.
- ✓ <strong>Soil Stabilization</strong> — Extensive fibrous root system helps prevent erosion and improves soil structure.
- ✓ <strong>Wildlife Attractor</strong> — Flowers attract pollinators, and berries provide food for birds.
- ✓ <strong>Low Maintenance</strong> — Requires minimal care once established, making it a popular choice for various garden designs.
1.2.Cleyera Japonica — Quick Summary
- ✓ Evergreen shrub native to East Asia, culturally significant in Shinto.
- ✓ Glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers.
- ✓ Produces striking red-to-black berries that persist through winter.
- ✓ Not widely recognized for traditional medicinal uses in major systems.
- ✓ Contains potential antioxidants and astringent compounds like flavonoids and tannins.
- ✓ Primarily valued for ornamental beauty, hedging, and cultural practices.
2.Cleyera Japonica — Scientific Identity
3.Cleyera Japonica — Quick Facts
4.Cleyera Japonica — Appearance & Identification
5.Cleyera Japonica — Native Habitat
6.Cleyera Japonica — Water Requirements
- ✓ Light Requirements — Prefers full sun to partial shade; tolerates almost full shade, but appreciates afternoon shade in hot southern climates.
- ✓ Soil Preferences — Thrives in high organic matter, well-drained soils; adaptable to various soil types but avoids waterlogging.
- ✓ Watering Schedule — Once established, Cleyera japonica is quite drought tolerant, but requires regular watering during prolonged dry spells.
- ✓ Wind Protection — Plant in an area with some protection from strong winds, as it can be prone to wind damage.
- ✓ Hardiness Zones — Suitable for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6a through 9b, demonstrating resilience to a range of temperate conditions.
- ✓ Pruning — Generally low maintenance; prune selectively to maintain desired shape, remove dead or damaged branches, and encourage denser growth.
- ✓ Fertilization — Benefits from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, especially in nutrient-poor soils, to support vigorous growth.
- ✓ Propagation — Can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by seeds, which require stratification for successful germination.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
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Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 15, 2026
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