Cleyera is a genus of about 21 species of tender, evergreen shrubs to small trees in the family Pentaphylacaceae (order Ericales), placed there under the APG III classification system. The genus was historically placed in Theaceae. Plants are mostly native to Mexico and Central America, with one notable species — Cleyera japonica (sakaki) — native to Eastern Asia. They are slow-growing and densely upright with a low, spreading-branch habit and a rounded form, eventually reaching 1.8 to 3 metres (6–10 ft) in height. Leaves are glossy, oval, and 6–10 cm long, with mature foliage dark green and new growth emerging in bronze-red to burgundy tones. In early summer, plants produce very fragrant, small, creamy-white to pale-yellow flowers with petals free or scarcely coalesced. The fruits are spherical, starting greenish-yellow and turning red to black. Cleyera species are cultivated as specimen plants, accent hedges, or in mixed border landscapes and can be kept compact through occasional tip-pruning. The pollen may cause mild allergy symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Etymology
The genus name Cleyera honours Andrew Cleyer, a Dutch physician of the seventeenth century.
Distribution
Cleyera species are predominantly native to Mexico and Central America, with one species — Cleyera japonica (sakaki) — native to Eastern Asia. GBIF records 7 descendant taxa but provides no detailed native-range distribution data at the genus level.
Cultivation
Cleyera species are grown ornamentally as specimen plants, accent hedges, or in mixed border landscapes. They are slow-growing but can eventually reach 1.8 to 3 metres (6–10 ft) in height with a rounded, densely upright form. Plants tolerate occasional tip-cutting to maintain a compact shape. Note that the pollen can cause mild allergy symptoms. Flowers are very fragrant, appearing in early summer.
Taxonomy Notes
Under the APG III system, Cleyera is placed in the family Pentaphylacaceae (order Ericales); it was historically classified under Theaceae. The genus comprises around 21 accepted species, though GBIF currently records only 7 descendant taxa. The type and most widely known species is Cleyera japonica (sakaki), the only member native to Eastern Asia amid a predominantly Neotropical genus.
