Raphiolepis

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Read about Raphiolepis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Raphiolepis (Greek, raphis, needle, and lepis, scale; referring to the subulate bracts). Sometimes spelled Rhaphiolepis. Rosaceae, subfamily Pomeae. Ornamental shrubs grown for their handsome foliage and attractive white or pinkish flowers. Leaves persistent, alternate, short-petioled, serrate, rarely entire: fls. in terminal racemes or panicles; sepals triangular; petals 5, oblong or obovate; stamens 15-20; ovary completely inferior; styles 2-3, connate toward the base : fr. subglobose, purplish black or bluish black with 1 large subglobose or 2 partly compressed seeds. — Two or perhaps 4 species in S. Japan and China. These are handsome evergreen shrubs with alternate or obscurely whorled leaves, white or slightly pinkish flowers and small pea-sized black fruits. None of the species is hardy North, but R. umbellata will stand about 10° of frost or even more with some protection; they are well suited for cultivation in the southern states and California. They will thrive in any good well-drained soil, and if cultivated in pots, a compost of sandy loam and leaf-mold or peat will suit them. Propagation is by seeds or by cuttings of ripened wood under glass late in summer; also by layers, and sometimes grafted on hawthorn. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

Describe the plant here...

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

• 

  photo 1

• 

  photo 2

• 

  photo 3

References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

• w:Raphiolepis. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
• Raphiolepis QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)