How to identify Early stachyurus (Stachyurus praecox)
Early stachyurus, also known as Early spiketail
Early stachyurus is a deciduous shrub that reaches 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) tall, occasionally growing up to 10 feet (3 meters). It's recognized by its racemes of pendant, catkin-like flower buds that adorn the plant through winter, bursting into bloom late March to April, ahead of the foliage. The flowers are a key distinguishing feature, offering a striking display in late winter. The leaves adopt an open, upright, arching-spreading form and may display rosy red and yellow hues come fall.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Shrub
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Distinct pendant racemes of catkin-like flower buds
Pale yellow flowers in bell-shaped clusters
Fruit with greenish hue and yellow-red checkered patterning
Smooth, lustrous leaves with visible veins and serrate margins
Slender, purplish-brown stems with distinctive arching pattern
The leaves of early stachyurus are ovate, medium green, and measure 3 to 7 inches (7.5 to 17.8 cm) in length. They possess a tapered shape with serrate margins, supported by red-brown to chestnut-brown branches. The texture is lustrous and smooth. During fall and winter, the leaves exhibit striking coloration, transitioning from orange to red. The veins are prominently visible, providing an intricate pattern that enhances their aesthetic appeal.
The flowers of early stachyurus are distinctive, with pale yellow coloration and formed in racemes 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long, appearing in March and April. Each raceme holds 10-20 tiny, bell-shaped flowers, each about 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) across, featuring four petals. They emerge from striking purple buds, adding a unique aspect to their appearance. The yellow-green flowers create a subtle, elegant charm, making the identification of early stachyurus straightforward during its blooming period.
The stem of early stachyurus is purplish-brown in color, presenting a somewhat glossy finish. It is slender, typically measuring around 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm) in diameter, and tends to be smooth in texture. The stems exhibit a distinctive arching pattern with multiple branching offshoots. Nodes are visible, adding slight bulges at intervals along the stem. This combination of color, texture, and growth pattern makes it easily distinguishable.
The fruit of early stachyurus is an intriguing, berry-like structure with a slightly elongated shape, typically around 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5-10 mm) in length. Its surface presents a unique greenish hue, overlaid with subtle yellow-red checkered patterning. The fruit's texture is somewhat firm to the touch when mature. These fruits hang delicately in clusters, adding to the ornamental quality of the plant. While alluring in appearance, the fruit is generally not notable for any culinary or commercial use.
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Scientific Classification of Early stachyurus
