Pieris (plant)

Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)

Pieris is a genus of Ericaceae, which is also known under the name lavender heather and bell shade. The name lavender heather is however also used for the rosemary. The name goes back to the Pieridae Pieris ( Muses ).

Description

The species are evergreen shrubs, small trees, more rarely lianas.

The leathery leaves are spirally arranged, but are often in Scheinwirteln, rarely in whorls threefold. The leaf margin is entire, dentate to strong.

The white, sometimes pink-colored, urn -shaped to cylindrical urn -shaped flowers are in many-flowered, axillary or terminal racemes or grapes. The calyx is deeply divided into five calyx lobes. The corolla tube is, however, only very briefly divided into five lobes. On the back of the dust bag on the connection with the stamens are a pair of spur similar attachments.

The flower buds in autumn, the winter remain closed and only open in the spring.

The fruits are five-column cleavage capsules containing relatively small seeds.

Distribution and habitat requirements

The seven species of the genus are from East Asia, eastern North America and the Caribbean.

Most species grow as undergrowth in thickets and dense forests, like not over dry places.

Others

Three species, the American Pieris (Pieris floribunda ), the Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica) and Pieris formosa be used as ornamental shrubs. They are hardy and pull a partially shady place with more acidic soil.

All aboveground plant parts are poisonous. The major toxin is the diterpene esters Acetylandromedol, which causes the skin itching and burning and leads to nausea and vomiting after eating, severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. Accordingly, high doses can be lethal due to respiratory paralysis.

Species

  • American Pieris (Pieris floribunda ( Pursh ) Benth. & Hook f. ), A 2.5 m high style from the mountain forests of North America.
  • Pieris formosa ( wall. ) D. Don; it is found in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam and China
  • Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ( Thunb. ) D. Don ex G. Don ) in the forests of East Asia up to 4 m tall tree; He is based in Japan, Taiwan and China and thrives there at altitudes 800-1900 m.
  • Pieris nana ( Maxim. ) Makino; it occurs in Japan
  • Pieris phillyreifolia ( Hook. ) DC. ; it occurs in the southeastern United States
  • Pieris swinhoei Hemsl. ; it occurs in China (Fujian, Guangdong ).

Swell

  • Fang, R., Stevens, P.F. (2005): Pieris. In: Wu, Z.Y., Raven, P.H. (Eds.): Flora of China. 14:460 ff Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Flora of China online
  • Herbalist: Lavendelheide
  • Poisonous Plants: Japanese Pieris
  • Poisonous plant Pieris japonica
  • Germplasm Resources Information Network: Pieris (English)
Asterids
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