Deciduous shrub to 4 m tall with arching stems. Leaves simple, alternate, more or less ovate, about 8-13 cm long, 6-8 cm wide with 7-9 vein pairs, dull above and more or less shiny below; tip long-pointed, base rounded to almost cordate; margin saw-toothed, colouring yellow to orange and red in autumn. Flowers in narrow, pendulous clusters to about 12 cm long. Sepals 4. Petals 4, greenish yellow. Stamens 8. Style 1; stigma with a large head; mostly autumn to winter. Fruit a berry about 1.5 cm long, 1cm wide opening into 4 chambers containing numerous seeds.
Japan
Grows naturally in montane thickets and woodland.
Pale yellow pendulous flower clusters with parts in 4s.
VIC: Dandenongs ('Pirianda'); The Basin ('Como' Nurseries).
S. chinensis Franch. is extremely similar but has slightly larger leaves and smaller fruits; it is occasionally available as the cultivar 'Magpie' which originated from Hilliers Nursery, UK, in 1945 and has leaves that are grey above with a cream base and pink spots.
Source: (1997). Stachyuraceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
