Kingdom Plantae Family Theaceae Rank Species | Order Ericales Genus Tutcheria | |
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Similar Pyrenaria, Eurya japonica, Theaceae, Cleyera japonica | ||
Tutcheria virgata (syn. Pyrenaria microcarpa) is an evergreen plant in the genus Tutcheria belonging to the Theaceae family.
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Description
Tutcheria virgata is a shrub or medium-sized tree reaching a height of approximately 1–15 metres (3 ft 3 in–49 ft 3 in). Leaves are dark green, leathery, elliptic, obovate or oblong-lanceolate, margin serrate, about 8–13 centimetres (3.1–5.1 in) long. Flowers are axillary, solitary, with five white petals, about 2–2.5 centimetres (0.79–0.98 in) in diameter. Fuits are ovoid or globose capsules about1.5–2 centimetres (0.59–0.79 in) long, with three chestnut brown seeds per locule. Flowering period extends from April through July, while the fruits ripe from August up to November.
Distribution and Habitat
This plant is native to China and it is also present in Japan (Ryukyu Islands) and in Vietnam. It grows in mountain forests or along streams, at an elevation of about 300–1,000 metres (980–3,280 ft) above sea level.