Japanese andromeda
ExplorePlants
Japanese andromeda
Pieris japonica
The Japanese andromeda is a lovely shrub with shiny green leaves and beautiful white flowers. It blooms in spring and is often found in gardens and parks, making them look bright and cheerful.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Japanese andromeda has striking, glossy green leaves that often emerge in shades of red or bronze. Its distinctive, tiny white or pink bell-shaped flowers hang in graceful clusters, resembling strings of pearls.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusPieris
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its tiny, bell-shaped flowers hang upside down in long clusters, like fairy earrings!
Its wood is surprisingly tough, once used for small tool handles in Japan!
New leaves are often bright red or bronze, changing colour like a chameleon!
This plant is actually a cousin to yummy blueberries and tangy cranberries!
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Shield
Japanese andromeda has grayanotoxins that make its leaves toxic, helping it defend against hungry herbivores.
Ability
Winter Greenery
Japanese andromeda keeps its leaves all year long, helping it photosynthesize and grow even in winter.
Ability
Early Bloomer
Japanese andromeda can bloom very early in spring, which helps it attract pollinators before other plants.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-400 cm
- Spread
- 150-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late winter to early spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar from its early spring blooms
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
an early season pollinator of its flowers
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
deer occasionally browse its toxic foliage
shelters
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
provides dense evergreen cover for nesting and roosting
Traits
Bell-Shaped Flower
Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult, as some can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Japanese andromeda?
200-400 cm
How wide does Japanese andromeda spread?
150-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Japanese andromeda?
0.5-1 cm
When does Japanese andromeda bloom?
Late winter to early spring
Is Japanese andromeda edible?
No
Is Japanese andromeda toxic?
High
What is Japanese andromeda's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Japanese andromeda pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
