Is Pieris japonica Poisonous? Notes on Keeping It Indoors
After checking the relevant information, Pieris japonica does contain toxins, which is to say, Pieris japonica is poisonous, and the entire plant of Pieris japonica is toxic. If animals ingest it by mistake, they will show symptoms of vomiting and abdominal pain, and in severe cases it can also lead to problems such as coma and difficulty breathing. Although the whole plant of Pieris japonica is toxic
After checking the relevant information, Pieris japonica does contain toxins, which is to say, Pieris japonica is poisonous, and the entire plant of Pieris japonica is toxic. If animals ingest it by mistake, they will show symptoms of vomiting and abdominal pain, and in severe cases it can also lead to problems such as coma and difficulty breathing. Although the whole plant of Pieris japonica is toxic, because of its beautiful appearance it can absolutely be kept at home as an ornamental plant, but if there are children in the home it is not recommended to keep it.
Pieris japonica Pieris japonica Illustrated Guide: How to Grow Pieris japonica / How to Propagate Pieris japonica
Pieris japonica ProfilePieris japonica Pieris japonica
How to Grow Pieris japonica and Notes, Introduction to Pieris japonica
Pieris japonica: an evergreen shrub, 1-3 m tall. Leaves clustered at the tips of branches, thickly papery, oblanceolate or lanceolate-oblong; leaf margins finely serrate; racemes; each inflorescence has 3-4 flower branches, densely set with urn-shaped small flowers, pendulous, corolla white or white-green, capsule spherical. The whole plant is toxic but the flowers and leaves have extremely high ornamental value, so large plantings are already hard to find in the wild. It can be used for cut flowers, bonsai, hedges and open-ground garden cultivation; both stems and leaves are toxic, and if humans or livestock ingest them by mistake, it will cause coma, difficulty breathing and loss of coordination. The leaves are highly toxic, and their water decoction can kill agricultural pests. The leaves are toxic and can be used as an insecticide. Toxic parts: stems, leaves and seeds. Poisoning symptoms: if young children or livestock ingest them by mistake, it will cause symptoms such as coma, difficulty breathing, loss of coordination and even whole-body convulsions.
Origin of the name: when horses ingest its branches and leaves by mistake, they become poisoned and appear drunk and unconscious, hence the name "Pieris japonica" (horse-intoxicating wood).
Morphological Characteristics of Pieris japonica
Shrub or small tree, about 4 m tall; bark brown, branchlets spreading, hairless; winter buds obovate, bud scales 3-8, imbricate. Leaves clustered at the tips of branches, thickly papery, oblanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, leaf margins finely serrate; leaves leathery, densely clustered at the branch tips, elliptic-lanceolate, 3-8 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, apex shortly acuminate, base narrowly cuneate, margins finely crenate on more than 2/3, rarely nearly entire, hairless, surface dark green, underside pale green, midvein raised on both sides, lateral veins sunken on the surface, inconspicuous on the underside, veinlets reticulate; petiole 3-8 mm long, with a deep groove on the upper side, rounded on the underside, slightly pubescent. Racemes or panicles terminal or axillary, 8-14 cm long, upright or drooping, inflorescence axis pubescent; each inflorescence has 3-4 flower branches, densely set with urn-shaped small flowers, pendulous, corolla white or white-green, capsule spherical. Sepals triangular-ovate, about 3.5 mm long, about 1 mm wide, sparsely short-pubescent inside, with a few glandular hairs or nearly hairless outside; corolla white, urceolate, 6-7 mm long, about 5 mm in diameter, hairless, upper part shallowly 5-lobed, lobes nearly round; stamens 10, about 3.5 mm long, filaments slender, with long pubescence, more so at the base; ovary nearly spherical, hairless; style slender, about 6 mm long, stigma small, capitate. Capsule nearly oblate, 3-5 mm in diameter, hairless. Flowering period: January-March; pale white-green; fruiting period July-February, capsule, brown.
Evergreen shrub or small tree, 2-4 m tall. Bark brown, branchlets spreading, hairless; winter buds obovate, bud scales 3-8, imbricate. Leaves densely clustered at the branch tips; petiole 3-8 mm long, with a deep groove on the upper side; leaf blade leathery, elliptic-lanceolate, or oblanceolate, 3-8 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, apex shortly acuminate, base narrowly cuneate, margins finely crenate on more than 2/3, rarely nearly entire, surface dark green, glossy, underside pale green, midvein raised on both sides, lateral veins sunken on the surface, inconspicuous on the underside, veinlets reticulate. Racemes or panicles terminal or axillary, clustered at the branch tips, 8-14 cm long, inflorescence axis pubescent; sepals triangular-ovate, about 3.5 mm long; corolla white, urceolate, upper part shallowly 5-lobed, lobes nearly round; stamens 10, filaments with long pubescence; ovary 1, nearly spherical, style slender, stigma capitate. Capsule nearly oblate, 3-5 mm in diameter, dehiscing loculicidally, calyx and style persistent. Flowering period April-May, fruiting period July-September. Pieris japonica prefers moist, semi-shaded environments, fears strong direct sunlight, and is cold-tolerant. It can overwinter outdoors at a low temperature of -27°C, tolerates pruning and has strong sprouting ability. Most Pieris japonica varieties have low environmental requirements and are easy to grow. Pieris japonica prefers moist, semi-shaded environments, fears strong direct sunlight, and is cold-tolerant. It can overwinter outdoors at a low temperature of -27°C, tolerates pruning and has strong sprouting ability.
Ecological Habits of Pieris japonica Sunlight:When planted on flat ground, avoid intense direct sunlight at high temperatures
Management:The suitable growth temperature is about 15-25°C
Water:The cultivation soil is best a loam or sandy loam rich in humus, and drainage must be good.
Pieris japonica prefers moist, semi-shaded environments, fears strong direct sunlight, and is cold-tolerant. It can overwinter outdoors at a low temperature of -27°C, tolerates pruning and has strong sprouting ability. Most Pieris japonica varieties have low environmental requirements and are easy to grow.
Variety Classification of Pieris japonica Beautiful Pieris Pieris formosa (Wall.) D. Don
Beautiful Pieris (Iconographia Cormophytorum Sinicorum), Xingshan Pieris (Taxonomy of Chinese Trees), Long-bracted Beautiful Pieris (Flora Xizangica, Flora Yunnanica)
Evergreen shrub or small tree, 2-4 m tall; branchlets cylindrical, hairless, with leaf scars on the branches; winter buds relatively small, ovate, scales hairless outside. Leaves leathery, lanceolate to oblong, rarely oblanceolate, 4-10 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide, apex acuminate or acute, margins finely serrate, base cuneate to obtuse-rounded, surface dark green, underside pale green, midvein prominent, slightly pubescent on the surface when young, shedding when old, lateral veins sunken on the surface, inconspicuous on the underside; petiole 1-1.5 cm long, with groove lines on the upper side, rounded on the underside. Racemes clustered in the leaf axils at the branch tips, or sometimes terminal panicles, 4-10 cm long, rarely reaching more than 20 cm; pedicels pubescent; sepals broadly lanceolate, about 3 mm long; corolla white, urceolate, pubescent outside, upper part shallowly 5-lobed, lobe apex obtuse-rounded; stamens 10, filaments linear, about 4 mm long, with white pubescence, anthers yellow; ovary oblate, hairless, style about 5 mm long, stigma small, capitate. Capsule ovoid, about 4 mm in diameter; seeds yellow-brown, fusiform, cells of the outer seed coat elongated. Flowering period May-June, fruiting period July-September.
Produced in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provinces and regions. Grows in thickets at an altitude of 900-2300 m. Also found in Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and India.
Long-sepaled Pieris Pieris swinhoei Hemsl.
Shrub, 2-3 m tall; bark gray-brown, longitudinally fissured, branchlets slender, slightly pubescent; winter buds not seen. Leaves clustered at the branch tips, leathery, narrowly lanceolate, 4.5-8 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, apex shortly acuminate, base narrowly cuneate, margins sparsely serrate above the middle, slightly revolute after drying, surface dark green, underside pale green, hairless on both sides, midvein prominent on the surface, raised on the underside, lateral veins nearly horizontally spreading, veinlets reticulate, obvious; petiole extremely short, 2-7 mm long. Racemes or panicles borne at the branch tips or in leaf axils, upright, 15-20 cm long; pedicels about 5 mm long, pubescent; sepals long, leathery, lanceolate, 5-7 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, short-pubescent inside, especially near the top; corolla white, tubular-urceolate, about 1 cm long, about 5 mm in diameter, hairless, upper part shallowly 5-lobed, upper part of lobes obtuse-rounded; stamens 10, included, about 6 mm long, filaments linear, nearly hairless; ovary conical, about 2 mm long, about 1.5 mm in diameter, densely yellow-brown short-pubescent; style slender, about 7 mm long, stigma small, slightly pubescent. Capsule nearly spherical, about 5 mm in diameter. Flowering period April-June, fruiting period July-September.
Produced in Fujian, Guangdong, Hong Kong, China. Grows in thickets. Type specimen collected from Xiamen, Fujian.
Variegated Pieris
Variegated Pieris is the most popular courtyard variegated-leaf tree species in Europe, America and Japan. It can be enjoyed both for its leaves and its flowers, meets the requirements of Chinese garden applications for new and superior varieties, and has great market potential.
Variegated Pieris is the collective name for the cultivated variants or cultivars of Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica) as well as hybrids of Japanese Pieris and Taiwan Pieris. It belongs to the Ericaceae family and is an evergreen broad-leaved shrub or tree. Its cultivated variants and cultivars are numerous, and the leaf colors vary greatly. The varieties introduced into China can be broadly divided into two major series: foliage and flowering. The foliage series can be divided by leaf color into three major series: red-leaf, variegated-leaf and green-leaf. The flowering series can be divided into two major series: red-flowered and white-flowered. In full bloom, the red-flowered series is a profusion of flowers, gorgeous and colorful; the white-flowered series is like drifting clouds and cascading waterfalls, fresh and elegant. The bark of Variegated Pieris is gray or brown, with longitudinal striations and scale-like patterns.
The leaves of Variegated Pieris are leathery and flexible, mostly alternate, lanceolate to oblanceolate, or long elliptic, with serrations? Young shoots are often red, bronze, copper, orange or yellow, etc. The leaf color of most Pieris cultivars changes with different growth stages, and the same plant can simultaneously have red, pink, tender yellow, green and other leaves in a brilliant display, with extremely high ornamental value. The flower form of Variegated Pieris is uniquely charming, with small pure white flowers borne on racemes or panicles, resembling hanging bells. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, upright or drooping. Flowers mostly white, sometimes pink, fragrant. Flowering period February to May, calyx yellow-green or yellow-brown, sometimes light reddish-brown.
Distribution Area of Pieris japonica
Distributed in southern mainland China, Taiwan, China and other places, produced in Taiwan, China, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian and other provinces. Grows in thickets at an altitude of 800-**** m. Also found in Japan.
Landscape Uses of Pieris japonica
Pieris japonica (Piereis polta) belongs to the Ericaceae subfamily Andromedoideae and is an evergreen broad-leaved shrub or tree. The tree height is usually between 0.8-3 m. Pieris japonica has a graceful plant form and alluring leaf colors, and is a common evergreen shrub in European and American courtyards.
There are many cultivars of Pieris japonica, with more than 100 already registered. Most of those cultivated in nurseries are Japanese Pieris, and some are hybrids of Japanese and Taiwan Pieris or hybrids of Taiwan Pieris variants and Japanese Pieris.
Classified from an ornamental perspective, the cultivars of Pieris japonica can be broadly divided into two major series: foliage and flowering. The foliage series is divided by leaf color into three major series: red-leaf, red-flowered and green-leaf. The flowering series can be divided into two major series: red-flowered and white-flowered. The red-leaf series is as brilliantly red as flames; the variegated-leaf series is colorful and varied; the green-leaf series is verdant green; in full bloom, the inflorescences of the red-flowered series cover the branch tips, passionate and unrestrained; the white-flowered series is like drifting clouds and cascading waterfalls, fresh and elegant. At the same time, the leaf color of most Pieris cultivars changes with the age of the leaves, so at the same period the plant can simultaneously have red, pink, tender yellow, green and other leaves, with brilliant colors and extremely high ornamental value. Many cultivars have a very dense tree habit and luxuriant branches and leaves, making them easy to shape into various forms. According to the characteristics of the cultivars, Pieris japonica can be used as a woody potted flower for ornament; in landscaping, it is also often used for flower hedges and color-block mosaics. It has a very good beautifying effect in woodland arrangement, block planting, understory layer arrangement and edge shrub beautification, among others.
Development Prospects
The varieties are numerous and their habits differ, with wide uses, so it is entirely possible to "match the tree to the site." Its wide application in gardens in many countries such as those in Europe and Japan is good proof of this. Because the leaf colors of many cultivars are rich, varied and gorgeous, their ornamental value as potted flowers is extremely high, and cultivation with substrate makes it easy to control the pH and easy to maintain.
At present, there is very little introduction and cultivation of Pieris japonica cultivars in China, and superior cultivars are even rarer. As long as the varieties are chosen appropriately and combined with substrate cultivation, whether for potted flowers or for landscaping, the market prospects are immeasurable.
Medicinal or Dietary Therapeutic Value of Pieris japonica
The medical information and health dietary therapy information on Huahua Network are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. For any health problem, consult professional medical personnel, and for the treatment of any disease, please follow medical advice.
Ultimate flower-protecting mission: to love yourself, start from reality and strictly follow medical advice. Toward illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope; face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and care for the flower field within your heart with your heart.
The medical content on Huahua Network is for reference only and cannot be regarded as professional advice. For any health problem, consult professional medical personnel.
Medicinal Information (1)
Chinese Medicinal Material Information
[Medicinal name]: Pieris japonica
[Chinese pinyin]: ma zui mu
[Latin plant animal mineral name]: Peris japonica(Thunb.)D.Den ex G.Den[P.taiwanensis Hayata; P.Polita W.w.Smithet Jeffr.; Andromeda japenica Thunb.]
[Chemical constituents of Chinese medicine]: The leaves contain asebotoxin, asebetin, asebouercitrin, taraxerol, etc.
[Efficacy]: insecticidal
[Family and genus classification]: Ericaceae
[Main indications]: scabies
[Ecological environment]: Grows under sparse forests on hillsides, at forest edges and in thickets beside stream valleys at an altitude of 800-**** m.
[Harvesting and storage]: Can be harvested in spring, summer and autumn, used fresh or sun-dried.
[Resource distribution]: Distributed in Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China and other places.
[Efficacy classification]: insecticidal medicine
[Usage and dosage]: External use: appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing, apply the residue.
[Source]: "Chinese Materia Medica"
Uses and Functions of Pieris japonica
The whole plant is toxic but the flowers and leaves have extremely high ornamental value, so large plantings are already hard to find in the wild. It can be used for cut flowers, bonsai, hedges and open-ground garden cultivation; both stems and leaves are toxic, and if humans or livestock ingest them by mistake, it will cause coma, difficulty breathing and loss of coordination. The leaves are highly toxic, and their water decoction can kill agricultural pests.
Propagation Methods of Pieris japonica Seed, cutting or division propagation. Planting and Maintenance
Pieris japonica has a graceful plant form, changeable leaf color and pink inflorescences, very charming, and is cold-tolerant, wind-resistant, pollution-resistant, with strong sprouting ability, making it an excellent evergreen foliage shrub in cities. It is also widely used in Europe and Japan for indoor potted plants and small courtyard ornament. Pieris japonica is native to China and Japan, an evergreen shrub, plant height 4 m, plant spread 3 m, leaves narrowly obovate to elliptic: terminal panicles, about 15 cm long, flowers bell-shaped, white, drooping or semi-upright, flowering in late winter and spring; can tolerate a low temperature of -15°C.
I. Propagation Techniques. ① Seed propagation. Sow in pots in spring and autumn, suitable germination temperature 13°C-18°C, germinating 30-40 days after sowing. ② Cutting propagation. Use softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripened cuttings in late summer, cuttings 8 cm-10 cm long, keep room temperature at 20°C-24°C, rooting 25-30 days after cutting. Treating the base with 5 g/L indolebutyric acid for 2-3 seconds can promote rooting.
II. Soil Selection. The young leaves of Pieris japonica are colored, with colors such as red, pink, pink-green, tender yellow and orange-yellow. When planting in a small courtyard, it is best to choose an acidic sandy loam with high terrain, good drainage, fertility and rich humus, with a plant spacing of 2 m-3 m. For potted plants, garden soil, sand and barnyard manure can be mixed at 6:2:2.
III. Scientific Fertilization. It likes warm, moist and semi-shaded environments. During the growth period, keep the soil moist and apply an acidic fertilizer such as Huiyou 21-7-7 once a month. In winter, dig trenches around the outer edge of the canopy to fertilize, and cover with a layer of bark chips to keep warm for overwintering. [1]
IV. Suitable Temperature. Pieris japonica is relatively cold-tolerant and fears high temperatures and strong direct sunlight. The growth temperature is 10°C-15°C; cold-tolerant species can tolerate 15°C, and general species can tolerate 5°C.
Flower Language of Pieris japonica
Sacrifice, Danger, Pure Love
Pieris japonica Pictures
How to Grow Pieris japonica and Notes
How to Grow Pieris japonica
Soil Selection
The young leaves of Pieris japonica are colored, with colors such as red, pink, pink-green, tender yellow and orange-yellow.
When planting in a small courtyard, it is best to choose an acidic sandy loam with high terrain, good drainage, fertility and rich humus, with a plant spacing of 2 m-3 m.
For potted plants, garden soil, sand and barnyard manure can be mixed at 6:2:2.
Temperature and Light
Temperature: Pieris japonica is relatively cold-tolerant and fears high temperatures and strong direct sunlight. The growth temperature is 10°C-15°C; cold-tolerant species can tolerate 15°C, and general species can tolerate 5°C.
Light: Pieris japonica likes a semi-shaded environment and can be maintained with partial sun. In summer, when the high temperature is scorching, shade it appropriately, on the one hand to prevent the leaves from being scorched, and on the other hand to prevent diseases brought by the intense heat.
Water and Fertilizer Management
Watering: Pieris japonica likes a warm and moist environment. During the growth period, keep the soil moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Fertilization: Apply an acidic fertilizer such as Huiyou 21-7-7 once a month. In winter, dig trenches around the outer edge of the canopy to fertilize, and cover with a layer of bark chips to keep warm for overwintering.
Propagation Methods
Seed propagation: Sow in pots in spring and autumn, suitable germination temperature 13°C-18°C, germinating 30-40 days after sowing.
Cutting propagation: Use softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripened cuttings in late summer, cuttings 8 cm-10 cm long, keep room temperature at 20°C-24°C, rooting 25-30 days after cutting. Treating the base with 5 g/L indolebutyric acid for 2-3 seconds can promote rooting.
Notes on Keeping Pieris japonica at Home
Pieris japonica Is Toxic
Both stems and leaves are toxic, and if humans or livestock ingest them by mistake, it will cause coma, difficulty breathing and loss of coordination.
If there are pets at home, find a way to isolate the animals from the plants. Once ingested by mistake, send them to a doctor immediately.
Common Pests and Diseases of Pieris japonica
Shade appropriately under strong light in summer. If indoor ventilation is poor, it is prone to leaf spot and shoot blight, which can be controlled with 65% zineb at 500 times dilution; if scale insects or red spider mites occur, they can be controlled with omethoate at 2000 times dilution.