Helwingia japonica

Helwingia japonica is a dioecious shrub with height varying between 1 and 2 metres (3.3 and 6.6 ft),^[4] and may spread 1–1.5 metres (3.3–4.9 ft),^[1] with leaves of 6–12 centimetres (2.4–4.7 in) in length.^[4] The lateral and midvein are concave, and the leaves' colors are green.^[5] Flowers grow from the center of the leaf midribs, taking the shape of a simple umbel inflorescence. In male specimens, 3–10 small green or purplish-green flowers grow but only 3–5 will open simultaneously. The female plants have 1–3 flowers. Flowering takes place between April and May, and fruiting is from August to September.^[6]

The Helwingia japonica is a dioecious plant, meaning that male and female sexual functions occur on separate plants. In the male plant, the flowers have a small calyx with 3–5 stamens and one long pedicel. The female plant has a short pedicel and one pistil, with 3–5 stigma branches and an inferior ovary that has 3–5 ovules, but no stamens.^[6] For reproduction to take place, it requires pollination. The female plants flowers will then turn into fruits. The fruits are small black or red berries.^[1]

They can be grown in places that are moist with good drainage, such as in partially shaded areas. It can tolerate temperatures as low as −7 °C (19 °F). The plant requires low maintenance, but to produce fruit, it requires both male and female plants. Mature seed can be collected from fruit be put to storage or sowed after being rinsed and left to dry.^[5]

Helwingia japonica is found in moist rich soil in forests and thickets in hills and low mountains at elevations of 100–3,400 metres (330–11,150 ft) in Japan, Bhutan, South Korea, Myanmar, and in multiple Chinese provinces.^[1][3][7]