Distylium profile

Distylium is an evergreen shrub or medium tree in the family Hamamelischaceae. The tender branches are scaly, the old branches are bald and clean, and dark brown after drying. Buds bare without scaly bracts, scaly. Leafy, elliptic or obovate elliptic, produced in Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Zhejiang and other provinces of China, mostly born in the hills 100 ~ 200m above sea level, also have distribution in Japan. Distylium is often cultivated in urban gardens along the Yangtze River basin.

Distylium picture

The morphological characteristics of Distylium

Branch

Distylium is an evergreen shrub or medium tree, scaly young shoots, bald old ones, dark brown when dry; Buds bare are without scaly bracts, scaly.

Leaf

Distylium leaves are leathery, oblong or elliptic, oval 3 ~ 7 cm long, 1.5 3.5 cm wide, apex obtuse or slightly acute, base broadly cuneate, dark green, shiny, following the early scale have scales, later go bald net, lateral veins 5 ~ 6 pairs, above is not obvious, in the following slightly protuberant, net veins on both sides are not obvious, the edge without serrate; Petiole is 5 ~ 10 mm long, slightly scaly. Stipules are fine, caducous.

Flowers

Distylium racemes ca. are 2 cm, racemes glabrous, involucre 2-3, ovate, scaly; Bracts are lanceolate, 3 mm long, flowers male and female in the same inflorescence, female flowers at apex; Calyx tube is short, calyx teeth unequal in size, scaly; Stamens are 5 to 6, filaments ca. 2 mm, anthers 3.5 mm, red; Ovary stellate tomentose, style 6 -- 7 mm long.

Fruit

The capsule of distylium is ovoid, 1 -- 1.3 cm long, apex acute, outside with brown stellate villi, upper halves split, each 2-lobed, without persistent calyx tube, fruit pedicels short, less than 2 mm long. The seed is ovoid, 4 ~ 5 mm long, dark brown, shiny, seed hilum white.

The ecological habits of Distylium

Distylium is found in subtropical evergreen forests. Most of them are born in hilly areas of 100 ~ 300m above sea level. It is also found in Japan. Distylium is often cultivated in urban gardens along the Yangtze River basin.

Distylium is a light-loving, slightly shade tolerant, warm and humid climate, not strong cold tolerance.

Distylium is not strict with soil requirements and can adapt to both acidic and neutral soils, while well-drained, fertile and moist soils are the best. Sprout, hair branch strong, resistant to pruning.

When to grow Distylium

Plant Distylium anytime of the year as long as the ground isn't frozen. When planting in summer be sure to water deeply an additional time per week.

How to grow and care for Distylium

Sunlight

Distylium grows well in full sun or part shade.

Soil

This evergreen shrub is adaptable to different soils, but performs best in a moist, well-draining soil.

Water

After planting, water deeply about 2 times per week. Once established this plant is drought tolerant. Water in periods of drought for best growth and flowering.

Food

Fertilize these plants with a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring.

Pruning

These evergreen shrubs tolerate heavy pruning, but do not need to be pruned. If needed, prune in early spring after flowering has ended.

Distylium propagation

Distylium can be propagated by sowing and cutting.

Seed propagation

Distylium sowing in autumn to harvest the fruit, the sun thresh, after the net seed dry storage, to the next February to March sowing, the germination rate of 70 ~ 80%. Cutting is inserted with hard branch heel shape in spring, also can be inserted with tender branch heel shape in the plum rainy season. Transplants are performed in autumn, or in spring, with soil balls. After planting appropriate sparse branches and leaves, can ensure survival.

Cutting propagation

Distylium can be propagated from cuttings in spring and summer or by sowing in spring. Wait until the seedlings grow to a suitable size for modeling. Also can use growth for years to plant small, vigorous like mosquito mother old pile making bonsai, normally germinate in the spring or the rainy season before transplanting, carried out on the stump before transplanting a rough cut, cut off redundant branches, root system should also be an appropriate clip, cut off a length of the taproot, stay a lateral root and fibrous root, to do a good job of keeping fresh moisturizing after mining, first planted in underground "blank", made of baked clay or survival after such as modeling, and fine in the basin.

Distylium disease control

Distylium generally has few pests and diseases but is vulnerable to scale insects if it is planted in damp, dark and impermeable places.

Distylium varieties

Distylium ‘Vintage Jade’ (PP23, 128, First Editions®) is the smallest variety, with a compact, mounding boom habit. The foliage is a smooth green. The purple plant life are produced alongside the stem for the duration of February and March. 3’ tall x 4’ wide, Zone 7-9
‘Vintage Jade’ is advocated for small basis plantings, borders, walkways, or as a floor cowl on banks

‘Vintage Jade’ planted in a foundation design.

‘Vintage Jade’ planted in a basis design.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael Dirr, Watkinsville, GA

Distylium Coppertone™ (‘PIIDIST-III’ PP25 304 , First Editions®) has a mid-sized to rounded increase addiction with coppery pink new foliage that matures to blue-green.

It additionally has small pink flora in February and March.

3-4’ tall and 4-5’ wide, Zones 7-9

Coppertone™ is endorsed for low-growing hedges, basis plantings, and accents

Coppertone ™ has new bronze reddish-purple foliage in the spring.

Coppertone ™ has new bronze reddish-purple foliage in the spring.

Photo courtesy of Bailey Nursery, Newport, MN and Dr. Michael Dirr, Watkinsville, GA

Distylium Blue Cascade® (‘PIIDIST-II’ PP24,409) has a compact, spreading addiction with darkish blue-green foliage that holds its shade yr round. The new foliage is a bronze-reddish red in the spring. It additionally has pink blooms in February and March. 4’ tall x 4’ wide, Zones 7-9

Blue Cascade® is encouraged for low-growing hedges, basis plantings and accents.

This is the mature peak and width of Blue Cascade®.

This is the mature peak and width of Blue Cascade®.

Photo courtesy of Bailey Nursery, Newport, MN and Dr. Michael Dirr, Watkinsville GA.

Distylium Emerald Heights® (‘PIIDIST-I’ PPAF) has darkish inexperienced foliage. It additionally has the identical flowering traits in February and March as the different Distylium hybrids.

6’ tall and 6’ wide, Zones 7-9

Emerald Heights® is encouraged for privateness hedges, borders, and specimens in basis plantings.

Emerald Heights® is an wonderful alternative for Otto Luyken Laurel in the landscape.

Emerald Heights® is an high-quality substitute for Otto Luyken Laurel in the landscape.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael Dirr, Watkinsville, GA

Distylium Linebacker™ (‘PIIDIST-IV’ PPAF, First Editions®) is the tallest range of the hybrids with a compact however upright increase habit. The reddish new foliage matures to a darkish green. It will additionally have small crimson plant life in February and March. 8’ to 10’ tall x 6’x 8’ wide, Zones 7-9

Linebacker™ is advocated for hedges, basis plantings, and upright developing accents.

The Distylium region

Distylium is distributed in Fujian, Zhejiang, Taiwan and Hainan Island of Guangdong Province. Distylium is also found in Korea and the Ryukyu of Japan.

Distylium is also found in Anhui, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

Distylium uses 

Medical use

Distylium can treat edema, Edema of hands and feet, Rheumatic joint pain; injuries.

Landscaping purposes

Distylium has dense branches and leaves, neat tree shape, dark green leaves, and does not wither in winter. In spring, small red flowers are also beautiful. Besides, it has strong resistance, good dust and sound insulation effect, and is a green and ornamental tree species in urban and industrial and mining areas. Distylium is suitable for roadside, front lawn and under big trees; Clusters and patches also work well as a space divider or as a background for other flowers and trees.

If trimmed into a ball, it is suitable for planting next to the door or as a base planting material.It can also be planted as hedges and shelterbelts.

The environment tree species

Distylium is highly resistant to smoke and a variety of toxic gases and can adapt to the urban environment. Bark contains tannin, can be produced tannin extract; Wood is hard and can be used for furniture, vehicles, etc. Distylium is resistant to sulfur dioxide and chlorine.