Abeliophyllum

Abeliophyllum distichum, white flowers

Abeliophyllum distichum (English: White Forsythia ) is the only type of Abeliophyllum, so a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae ( Oleaceae ). This endemic to the Korean peninsula is at risk in some natural sites. In the past, many habitats of this type have already been destroyed by her admirers.

According to Lee and Park ( 1982) it is closely related to Fontanesia, but on the basis of ITS sequences, it is more likely to belong forsythia (K. Kim 1998).

Description

Abeliophyllum distichum is a deciduous shrub with quadrangular stems and reaches stature heights of 1 meter or more. The oppositely arranged leaves are continually divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is 5 to 6 mm long. The simple leaf blade is at a length of 6 to 10 cm and a width of 3 to 4.5 cm lanceolate to ovate - oblong. Both upper leaf surface as well as lower leaf surface is hairy.

The flowering time is in the spring before the first new leaves appear. The pendant, racemose inflorescences have a dark purple inflorescence axis ( rachis ). The fragrant flowers are cruciform. The four white or pale pink petals are about 1 cm long. The round with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm wingnut contains one seed per seed bag.

Distribution and habitat

Abeliophyllum distichum occurs only at seven locations in the central South Korea, a reported occurrence in North Korea is unconfirmed. Abeliophyllum distichum is disjoint distributed, each subpopulation consists of 40 to 200 individuals.

It occurs in rocky areas with a dry surface and damp ground, often under Japanese red pine, oak or Myrtenblättriger Japanese chestnut oak ago.

Use

Abeliophyllum distichum is widely used because of its white, fragrant flowers planted as an ornamental plant.