Wintersweet and plum blossom are quite different; here are a few methods to easily tell them apart

When it comes to the two flowers wintersweet and plum blossom, many friends may think they are the same plant because both names contain the character "mei," which causes some misunderstanding; in fact, although the two flowers are similar in name and form, they are actually two completely different flowers. So what exactly is the difference between wintersweet and plum blossom, and how should they be distinguished? Below, the editor will give everyone a general introduction to how to identify wintersweet and plum blossom.

1. Differences between the flowers of wintersweet and plum blossom

The flowers of wintersweet are mainly yellow, and wintersweet in other colors is relatively rare. The calyx is generally purplish red, and the pedicel is relatively long, with some fine hairs, about 5-7mm; plum blossoms, however, come in various colors such as white, pink, purplish red, and deep red. The calyx is reddish brown, and some are also light green or green. The pedicel is relatively short, about 1-3mm, and usually has five hairs or very few fine hairs.

2. Differences between the leaves of wintersweet and plum blossom

The leaves of wintersweet grow oppositely, and their general shape is nearly elliptical or oblong. The upper side of the leaf is relatively rough and green or light green, while the underside is relatively smooth and grayish brown; a normally growing leaf is about 10-18 cm long and 4-8 cm wide, with both sides relatively gentle and gradually tapering to a point at the tip, and the underside of the leaf has slight fine hairs, while the other parts are hairless.

The leaves of plum blossom, however, grow alternately, with an ovate-elliptic or ovate shape, and are shorter in length, generally 5-10 cm; about 2-5 cm wide; unlike wintersweet, the leaf tip of plum blossom is more pointed, and the leaf margin has serrated stripes. The color is mostly grayish green, and when young, the leaves have a small amount of fine hairs on both sides, which gradually fall off after maturity, while the middle of the leaf veins has slight short fine hairs.

3. Other differences between wintersweet and plum blossom

From the overall form, wintersweet is a shrub plant, with branches growing upright, and its root and stem system is relatively developed, becoming block-like after growing to a certain stage. The plant can generally grow to about 2-4 m, while its main trunk is 4-8 m. In contrast, plum blossom is a tree plant, and its main trunk can grow to 5-10 m. There is no major difference in this respect, but most of the branches on the tree will have branch thorns, while wintersweet does not, and besides upright-growing branches, it also has some pendulous and curved branches, which is relatively different from wintersweet. On the other hand, the flowering time of wintersweet is usually around the twelfth lunar month, while plum blossom blooms about 2 months earlier; comparing the fragrance of the flowers, wintersweet gives off a delicate fragrance when it blooms, but its floral scent is a bit more intense than that of plum blossom, while plum blossom gives off an elegant light fragrance, fresh and subtle.

I believe that from the comparison above, many friends can know what differences there are between wintersweet and plum blossom, and next time they encounter these two flowers, they no longer need to worry about being unable to tell them apart.