ORIENTAL PHOTINIA [Photinia villosa (Thunb.) DC.] PHVI81

Fig. 1 Brand, 2001 Problem:Native to Japan, China and Korea, oriental pho- tinia (OP) is a fast growing small tree that can form large thickets, displacing native plants, even under shade from a forest canopy.1 Habit: Deciduous, vase-shaped tall shrub or small tree growing 3-5 m tall (Fig. 1).1,2 Reproduction: Fast growing and prolific producer of seed.1 Leaves: The alternate leaves of OP are oval-shaped with serrated margins, 4-8 cm long, and are smooth above and long-haired (villous) beneath (Fig. 2).1,2 New growth can be pale gold in color with mature leaves dark green in the summer, turning orange in the fall.3 Stems: OP has slender stems with large lenticles and 2-ranked leaf scars (Fig. 3).2

Fig. 2 KENPEI, 2007 Fig. 3 Brand, 2001 TREE ORIENTAL PHOTINIA [Photinia villosa (Thunb.) DC.]

Fig. 4 Sten Porse, 2003 Fruits/Seeds: Fruits of OP are red, about 1cm in diameter and ripen in October, persisting through the winter (Fig. 4).1 Flowers: The white, five-petalled flowers of OP form 2-4cm wide clusters that bloom in May or June (Fig. 5).1,2 Habitat: Usually found in landscapings, OP can be found in forests and forest edges where escaped from cultivation.1 Similar Species: The native red chokeberry (Photinia pyri- folia) can be destinguished from OP from its smaller, lower stature as a shrub.1 The petiole (segment connecting leaf to stem) of OP is about 1/3 of a cm long, while longer on red chokeberry.4 Red chokeberry berries are typically wider than long, whereas OP berries are usually longer than wide.

Fig. 5 KENPEI, 2007 ORIENTAL PHOTINIA [Photinia villosa (Thunb.) DC.] Text Citations: 1. Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team Invasive Plant Fact Sheet. 2010. URL:http://www.fohvos. org/pdfs/factsheets/Photinia_villosa_Invasive%20 Plants%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf 2. Brand, M.H. 2001. University of Connecticut Plant Database. URL: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/ phovil/phovil1.html 3. Gilman, E.F. and Watson, D.G. 1994. University of Florida, Environmental Horticulture Department 4 Princeton Nature Notes. May 19, 2008. URL: http:// princetonnaturenotes.blogspot.com/2008/05/oriental- photinia-newly-identified.html, Stephen Hiltner.

Photograph Information: Figures 1,3 (photographer:Marc Brand, UCONN Plant Database) Figures 2,5 (photographer: KENPEI) Figure 4 (photographer: Sten Porse)

Photographs 2, 4 and 5 reproduced from www. creativecommons.org. Photographs 1 and 3 reproduced from UCONN Horticultrue Department Plants Database.