Cassine orientalis, commonly known as the Japanese cassine or oriental tea tree, is a small evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the Celastraceae family. Native to Japan, Korea, and China, it can grow up to 10 meters tall. The plant features a dense crown with glossy, dark green, oval-shaped leaves that taper to a point. These leaves are alternately arranged along the stem.
In the spring, Cassine orientalis produces small white flowers in clusters, which are followed by red berries in the autumn. Each berry contains a single seed used for the plant's propagation.
For centuries, Cassine orientalis has been valued in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also popular as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and flowers.
The plant thrives in well-drained soil with partial shade to full sun exposure but is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, clay, and acidic soils.
Overall, Cassine orientalis is a visually appealing evergreen shrub that offers both ornamental beauty and medicinal benefits, making it a valuable addition to any garden or landscape design project.
False olive is highly resistant to disease and is usually not susceptible to illnesses. With regard to care, the plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only light watering, and larger plants typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be trimmed after they finish blooming. False olive is suitable for anyone who has an outdoor area, such as a garden or deck, and it does not demand extensive care experience.
How to keep Cassine Orientalis.
Light
False olive occurs naturally in habitats like forest understories or rocky areas, where it grows under natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can adapt to full sun or full shade, showing its versatile and hardy character.
Temperature
False olive comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is well-suited to high heat and humidity. It dislikes abrupt temperature shifts and prefers steady temperatures, so it's important to prevent indoor temperature variations. It typically cannot endure cold and needs higher temperatures to grow. If the ambient temperature falls too much, the plant may stop growing or even die.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing is essential for the care of the False olive. Regular feeding during the growing season maintains the energy required for its showy leaves and supports overall growth. Failing to provide fertilizer can lead to unhealthy leaves, reduced ornamental value, and stunted or weak growth that is prone to breaking.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Tree
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Cassine
- Family
- Celastraceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 10.06 m to 14.94 m
- Mature Spread
- 4.88 m to 7.92 m
- Leaf Color
- Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Size
- 0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
- Native Area
- Madagascar
Other names.
