Notes For Reference:-　

Species, Varieties, or Forms in the Genus Helwingia:

Helwingia japonica / Hanaikada

Helwingia japonica / Hanaikada ハナイカダ

Helwingia japonica, a deciduous shrub that inhabits damp areas along mountain rivers, hills, or mountains, has bundled trunks and branches that extend well into the upper parts. It grows to 1-3 meters in height, with smooth, green bark. Leaves are alternate, with blades measuring 3-16 cm long and 1.5-6 cm wide, broad-oblong in shape, with tips tail-like to pointed and bases obtuse or broadly cuneate. Margins are shallowly serrated, with the tips growing into awns that terminate in glands. Light green flowers are set in approximately central positions on the midribs; male flowers are 4, and female flowers are generally 1, occasionally 2-3. The flowers measure 4- 5 mm across, and the petals are oval-triangular. Bloom time: April- May.