Pieris (plant)
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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Pieris | image = Pieris japonica2.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Pieris japonica | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Ericales | familia = Ericaceae | genus = Pieris D.Don | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }}
Pieris is a genus of seven species of shrubs in the family Ericaceae, native to mountain regions of eastern and southern Asia, eastern North America and the West Indies. They are broad-leaved evergreen shrubs growing to 1-6 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, often appearing to be in whorls at the end of each shoot with bare stretches of shoot below; they are lanceolate-ovate, 2-10 cm long and 1-3.5 cm broad, leathery textured, and with an entire or serrated margin. The young leaves in spring are typically brightly coloured. The flowers are bell-shaped, 5-15 mm long, white or pink, and arranged in racemes 5-12 cm long. The fruit is a woody capsule which splits into five sections to release the numerous small seeds.
Pieris species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including The Engrailed.
- Selected species
- Pieris floribunda. Eastern United States.
- Pieris formosa. The Himalaya, southwestern China (Yunnan), northern Myanmar.
- Pieris japonica. Eastern China, Japan, Taiwan.
- Pieris phillyreifolia. Southeastern United States.
- Pieris swinhoei. Southeastern China (Fujian, Guangdong).
Cultivation
Image:Pieris mtn fire.jpg They are commonly grown as ornamental plants, valued for year-round interest due to bright red new growth in early spring, chains of small, white flowers in mid-spring, and buds that remain on the plant through the winter. Numerous cultivars have been selected for different spring foliage colour. They grow best in a shady spot, sheltered from drying, winter winds.
