Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Abeliophyllum distichum

Though the plant genus below is Abeliophyllum the common name is 'white forsythia.'  And indeed, even though it's not in the genus Forsythia, the two plants are related, as they are both members of the Oleaceae or olive family.  




Though you can't discern this in these photos, since the plant hasn't leafed out yet, the leaves do indeed resemble Abelia, which accounts for the genus name.  Like Forsythia, I am a bit conflicted about using this plant.  It's a welcome sight this time of year, when we're all desperate for spring, but after it's bloomed and the leaves are out, it's a bit of a sprawling mess.



The plant is becoming increasingly hard to find in its native habitat of Korea, the result of over-harvesting due to its medicinal uses.

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