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katsura tree

Scientific Name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Family: Cercidiphyllaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

The Katsura tree, scientifically known as Cercidiphyllum japonicum, is also commonly called the Candyfloss Tree or Burnt Sugar Tree due to the sweet, sugary aroma its leaves emit in the autumn.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions small, heart-shaped leaves.
  • The plant produces sap with a scent similar to cotton candy.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions small, heart-shaped leaves.
  • The plant produces sap with a scent similar to cotton candy.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
  • Family: Cercidiphyllaceae (Katsura family)
  • Synonyms: Cercidiphyllum du Japon, Cercidiphyllum japonicum Sieb. & Zuch.
  • The genus name Cercidiphyllum refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of Cercis (redbuds).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Japan and China.
  • Found on low mountainsides.
  • Introduced to other regions and often planted in gardens and landscapes.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Deciduous tree growing to a height of around 30 meters (98 feet) in its native habitat, but typically smaller in Britain.
  • Fast-growing.
  • Young trees are pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age.
  • Often multi-stemmed.
  • Leaves are broadly heart-shaped with a purplish-bronze tint when young, turning green, and then shades of yellow, purple, and red in autumn.
  • Minute red flowers appear on naked branches in spring.
  • Foliage emits a pleasant aroma of burnt sugar or candyfloss in the autumn.

Quirky Facts

  • The Japanese name "Katsura" for the tree originates from a story about a wayward woodcutter.
  • A dwarf variety, Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Boyd's Dwarf', has a compact, branching habit and golden-orange autumn color.

Ecological Role

  • While not explicitly stated as invasive, the tree is often planted in gardens and landscapes outside of its native range, which could have ecological implications.

Further Information

  • Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
  • Dave's Garden
  • ARKive
  • English Woodlands
  • Encyclopedia.com: A Dictionary of Plant Sciences
  • Kew