Distylium racemosum Seeds | Isu Tree

Distylium racemosum seed

LATIN NAME: Distylium racemosum

COMMON NAME: Isu Tree, Distylium, Winter Bloom

Plant Profile

Known to gardeners as Isu Tree, Distylium racemosum is a handsome, evergreen shrub, native to southern Japan, this attractive and rare evergreen plant grows into a tree in its natural habitat, yielding valuable hard timber. Isu tree is a handsome, evergreen shrub or small tree of warm woodlands, its dense, rounded crown of small, leathery, glossy, dark-green leaves giving a polished, formal look through the year. Genus name Distylium refers to two styles in each flower, a botanical curiosity that has drawn attention of plant scientists. It tolerates heat, coastal conditions and a range of soils, and it thrives in full sun or light shade. Its appeal to pollinating insects adds a second, ecological layer to its ornamental one. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.

Science & Biotechnology

The species features in the wider study of the Distylium group, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Species has also been studied in ecology, since it is a native of warm woodlands, and its growth and its role in woodland community have been examined. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.

Uses & Benefits

Gardeners value Isu Tree for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ecologically, isu tree is a generous evergreen of warm woodlands. Its early flowers feed bees and early insects, and its dense, glossy foliage gives shelter, while it is a neat and hardy presence in woodlands and hedges of its native lands. For a grower, isu tree is an easy and hardy evergreen, and for a gardener it brings neat, glossy foliage and curious early flowers. A plant that has settled in will get along with only routine care.

A tree like this repays patience for decades: it cools and shelters its surroundings, hosts birds and insects, and stores carbon in timber that outlives its planter.

Growing from Seed

Raising Isu Tree from seed is straightforward. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in full sun until the seedlings are well up. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.

Our Take

It grows as a handsome, evergreen shrub, so its place in the garden is easy to plan. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.

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