Plant of the Month

October’s Plant of the Month

LATIN NAME: Cercidiphyllum japonicum

COMMON NAME: Katsura

FAMILY: Cercidiphyllaceae

TYPE: Deciduous Tree

ORIGIN: China, Japan

GARDEN USES: Fall Color, Sensory

LOCATION AT THE RESERVE: Japanese Garden, Residence

FUN FACT: Autumn marks the beginning of a distinctive sensory change in our Katsura trees.  As the leaves senesce and change color, they develop a sweet fragrance often described as resembling burnt sugar, caramel, or cotton candy. This aroma is associated with maltol, a naturally occurring compound that is released from the leaves as they break down. The fragrance is particularly noticeable from the fallen leaves during the early stages of decomposition. To read and learn more about fall color, click here.

–Content by Gardens North Manager Sean Peterson

Katsura Leaf Close-up, Bloedel Reserve

Katsura Tree, Japanese Garden, Bloedel Reserve