

How to identify Sakaki (Cleyera japonica)
Sakaki is an evergreen shrub or small tree renowned for its lush, rounded foliage. Its leaves are a striking dark green on the upper surface with a dull olive green underside, measuring 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) in length. The new growth presents a reddish-bronze hue. In midsummer, sakaki blooms with small, creamy-white flowers that exude a pleasant fragrance. These blossoms may be followed by small, round black fruit. Its mature size in cultivation typically ranges from 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) wide, forming a full, billowing presence.
Leaves are dark green above, lighter beneath, oblong to elliptical, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long.
New growth displays a reddish-bronze hue, providing visual interest and contrast.
Fruit is a spherical drupe, 0.3-0.4 inches (8-10 mm) in diameter, turning glossy black when ripe.
Bark is smooth, light gray, with slight furrowing and potential development of flaking layers.
Flowers are bell-shaped, white, 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) across, fragrant, and hang downward.
The leaves of sakaki are leathery with a dark green upper surface and a lighter green underside. New leaves emerge in a bronze color before maturing to green. They have an oblong to elliptical shape, ranging from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in length and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in width. The texture is distinctly tough and glossy, with a pronounced midrib and secondary veins that are less conspicuous. The dense, evergreen foliage provides a camellia-like appearance.
The flowers of sakaki are typically solitary or form in small clusters of 2-5 blooms from May to June. They are approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) across, bell-shaped, fragrant, and hang downward. The flowers are white, contributing to their delicate and appealing appearance.
The fruit of sakaki is a spherical drupe, typically around 0.3-0.4 inches (8-10 mm) in diameter. Upon maturity, the initially green fruit matures to a glossy black hue. These fruits are commonly borne in clusters, providing a striking contrast against the foliage. The outer skin is smooth with a somewhat leathery texture. Inside the hard exterior, there is a single, relatively large seed that occupies most of the fruit's inner space. These fruits are visually appealing, though not widely recognized for their edibility.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Sakaki