Neolitsea sericea (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 8m
Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Family: Lauraceae
Neolitsea sericea is an evergreen tree with a rounded crown. Its glossy dark green leaves are elliptic to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 18cm long and 4.5cm broad. Its leaves emerge velvety, then become dark pink in color before the final mature leaf is formed. Its brown bark is relatively smooth. Its dioecious yellow/ green flowers are small and appear in the leaf axils. Its flowers are followed by green berries are up to 13mm across and eventually turn dark red the following autumn. As this tree is dioecious both male and female trees are required if fruit are desired.
Neolitsea sericea Leaf (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Neolitsea sericea is native to China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in thickets and woodlands.
The etymological root of the binomial name Neolitsea is derived from the Latin epithet neo meaning ‘new’ and Litsea, another genus of plant. Sericea is derived from the Latin serica meaning ‘silken’, in reference to its emerging leaves.
The landscape architect may find Neolitsea sericea useful as a small evergreen tree with attractive emerging leaves, a mass of autumn flowers and winter berries.
Neolitsea sericea Flower (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Neolitsea sericea flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Neolitsea sericea prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Neolitsea sericea requires little maintenance.
