Eurya japonica is a commonly-seen evergreen shrub or
small tree with smooth, dark brown to black-gray barks found on
forest floors in mountainous regions. Thick, leathery, glossy, and
hairless leaves are alternate, and those on lateral branches are
distichous (arranged in two vertical columns) simultaneously. Blades
are oblong or oblanceolate, 3-7cm in length, 1.5-3cm in width, with
tips obtuse, bases acute, and margins shallowly serrated. Flowers
are dioecious; axils set 1-3 bell- or cup-shaped flowers in a
bundle, 2.5-3mm across, bloom facing downward. Sap fruit measure
4-5mm in diameter, mature purple-black in October-November. Bloom
time: March-April. |