The Morton Arb

Trees & Gardens

Use our Interactive Collections Map and our Plant Collections Map to identify where plants are located on our grounds.

Explore our Plant Database

Integrated data of The Morton Arboretum's living collections, herbarium, interactive collections map, and photographs. Search database

How Plants are Named
The words in the scientific name of a plant all mean something. Learn how plants get such interesting names. Click here

How To Read a Plant Label at the Arboretum

Geographic Groups

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Plants of Japan: More Than Cherry Blossoms and Maples

Enjoy the many plants in this collection, native to the islands of Japan. As you wander this collection, imagine you are walking through the forests of Hokkaido.

The Japan collection at The Morton Arboretum

When we think of Japan, we often think of cherry blossoms and maples. However, about 5,600 species of vascular plants flourish in Japan! This species diversity is due to the country's varied climate zones. Within the string of more than 3,000 islands called the Japanese archipelago, subtropical, temperate, and alpine-arctic zones exist, providing habitat for many species. The islands of Japan correspond in latitude to the Atlantic states of Maine and northern Florida, exhibiting nearly the same kind of climatic range. Our collection contains plants native to the main islands of Japan: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Beginning in 1978, and continuing today, additions to this collection reflect an emphasis by the Arboretum on acquiring wild-collected genetic material.

The Arboretum's collection includes maples, cherries and pears, among them the Ussurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis). This species was one of the first specimens to be planted in 1922. It was originally collected in Japan by Ernest H. Wilson, a renowned plant collector. Today the tree is  20-feet high and 40-feet wide. It is always the center of attention in spring, when it is completely covered with pure white blossoms.

Another notable species is the katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). This species is one of the largest hardwoods in Asia, and can reach heights of 130-150 feet (40-45 meters) and trunk diameters of 7 feet (2 meters). The leaves are heart-shaped (similar to leaves of the native redbud [Cercis canadensis ], but arranged opposite instead of alternate). In autumn, the leaves of the katsura tree turn a muted yellow and release the pleasant scent of burnt sugar or cotton candy.