Autumn leaves of Disanthus cercidifolius
Disanthus cercidifolius, also known as redbud hazel, ranks very highly in the realm of autumn colours. About twelve years ago, it was previously featured on Botany Photo of the Day in the spirit of autumn. However, that’s a long time ago, and some notable things have changed in quite coincidental fashion.
As Daniel wrote in the first entry on Disanthus cercidifolius, the genus Disanthus was thought to be monotypic (containing only one species). That was the scientific understanding until this year, when a new species that had been found in northwestern Vietnam was taxonomically classified as belonging to the genus Disanthus. The new species, Disanthus ovatifolius, was first introduced into European horticulture in 2006 under the name Uocodendron whartonii. The coincidence comes as the thought-to-be species was named after the late Peter Wharton, former curator of the David C. Lam Asian Garden within UBC Botanical Garden. Exactly where this photo was taken! A short piece on Peter and his legacy can be found here, via the garden’s weblog.
Disanthus cercidifolius is a deciduous shrub typically growing to 3m (10 ft.). It has two recognized subspecies, one endemic to China and the other to Japan. The Chinese subspecies, Disanthus cercidifolius var. longipes has been considered endangered since 1992 in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Severe habitat fragmentation is deemed the cause, as it is for many different cases of population declines. It grows in mixed and deciduous forests at 400m to 1200m (1300-3900 ft.). The variety is currently limited to several isolated populations in eastern China. A key issue for these populations was found to be low genetic variation among populations–this may limit the ability of the subspecies to adapt to future conditions. Here’s a concluding statement from a study looking at its pollination biology:
Disanthus cercidifolius var. longipes has evolved a “few fruiting” reproductive strategy [response] to the limited types and quantities of pollination insects and low pollination efficiency. The lack of effective pollinators is probably an important reason why Disanthus cercidifolius var. longipes is endangered.
Limited information on the conservation status of the Japanese subspecies, Disanthus cercidifolius var. cercidifolius, leads me to assume that it is not under the same level of threat as its Chinese counterpart. While relatively scarce in in the wild, the beautiful colours of the redbud hazel make it a widely popular ornamental plant. The amazing display of red, yellow, orange, purple, and green leaves, sometimes all on the same branch, is something I’m not sure I’ve ever seen in our North American shrubs.
What a stunning photo! Can you explain the lighting? It looks like you were lighting from below. Wish I could grow this species, as fall photos are simply amazing.
Thank you very much! The lighting was just late-afternoon sunlight coming from the left side of the photo. It did however have an interesting effect, where it only lit up selective areas of the foliage. Here’s another picture from the same series, with the light playing a similar role: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125466899@N04/36865073843/in/album-72157686406533941/
If you have a source for seeds, I will be delighted to grow and distribute them.
So beautiful!
HI Dan. The only North American shrub that I can think of that has leaves that I’ve seen do this Sassafras albidum. I guess S. albidum is probably classified as a small understory tree, but I’ve seen red, orange, yellow, green and some purple all occurring on the same plant. I will admit that the colors on Disanthus cercidifolius are stunning. Thanks for the gorgeous post.
What a wonderful photograph!
We haven’t seen Disanthus in a long time. Does anyone know who’s growing it these days?
“…is something I’m not sure I’ve ever seen in our North American shrubs.”
I’d have to say the fothergillas (Fothergilla gardenii, F. major, and their hybrids, F. x intermedia), all North American taxa, can give disanthus a run for the money when it comes to autumn color. Interesting that both Fothergilla and Disanthus are members of Hamamelidaceae, the witch-hazel family. Here’s a photo of F. x intermedia ‘Mt. Airy’:
Stunning shrub and equally stunning photo.
Is this available anywhere in BC nurseries?
How lovely, these graceful leaves growing old.
How do you go about appreciating such beauty? I just keep trying.
Thank you.
There is a very photogenic one at the Elk Rock Garden at Bishop’s Close in Portland.
I am lucky to have one example of this wonderful shrub in my garden here in Connecticut, it is a welcome addition to the already wonderful fall color here in New England.