Japanese Mock Orange

The plant is evergreen, with a tree or shrub-like growth habit and can reach ten meters in height in its native areas, while rarely exceeding three or four meters in Italy.The fruits are small capsules, non-toxic but also not edible. However, in Japan, they are eaten by birds like the bulbuls (birds of the Pycnonotidae family) and other birds. The sticky substance they are coated with allows the seeds to attach to birds' beaks and be transported over long distances.The leaves are alternate, shiny, and oblong.The flowers, with five petals, are highly fragrant; white at opening, then turning cream and finally light yellow. In Italy, the plant blooms in May. The petals feel waxy to the touch. They are grouped in umbrella-like clusters that appear in late spring.