Abeliophyllum distichum
Common name: 
White Forsythia
Korean Ablelialeaf
Pronunciation: 
a-be-li-o-FIL-um DIS-ti-kum
Family: 
Oleaceae
Genus: 
Abeliophyllum
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous shrub 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) high and nearly equal width, multistemmed, rounded in outline with arching branches, often straggly.  Stems are purplish-brown to tan, 4 sided, with ridges on vigorous ones.  Leaves opposite, simple, entire, 5-9 cm long, spreading in two ranks, ovate to elliptic-ovate, no fall color.  Flowers perfect, white or tinged with pink, 4-petaled, 1-1.5 cm diam., fragrant, appear in spring all along leafless branches. Winged fruit similar to that of an elm.
  • Sun or light shade.  Adaptable to many soil conditions, preferably well-drained, acid or alkaline.  Occasionally needs heavy pruning after bloom to encourage flowering in subsequent years.  Rather plain looking after flowering.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4      Native to Central Korea.  The only species in Abeliophyllum.
  • Abeliophyllum: abelio, referring to Abelia to which its leaves, phyllum, resemble. distichum: in two ranks, referring to the leaves.
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  • plant habit, early winter

    plant habit, early winter

  • plant habit, winter flowering

    plant habit, winter flowering

  • flowering, buds and flowers

    flowering, buds and flowers

  • shoot, late spring

    shoot, late spring

  • leaves

    leaves

  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • shoots, fall

    shoots, fall