''Skimmia'' is a genus of four species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the rue family Rutaceae, all native to warm temperate regions of Asia. The leaves are clustered at the ends of the shoots, simple, lanceolate, 6–21 cm long and 2–5 cm broad, with a smooth margin. The flowers are in dense

panicle A panicle is a much-branched inflorescence. (softcover ). Some authors distinguish it from a compound spike inflorescence, by requiring that the flowers (and fruit) be pedicellate (having a single stem per flower). The branches of a panicle are of ...

clusters, each flower small, 6–15 mm diameter, with 4-7 petals. The fruit is red to black, 6–12 mm diameter, a fleshy

drupe In botany, a drupe (or stone fruit) is an indehiscent fruit in which an outer fleshy part (exocarp, or skin, and mesocarp, or flesh) surrounds a single shell (the ''pit'', ''stone'', or '' pyrena'') of hardened endocarp with a seed (''kernel'') ...

containing a single seed. All parts of the plant have a pungent aroma when crushed.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan . The botanical name ''Skimmia'' is a Latinization of ''shikimi'' (シキミ, 樒), which is the Japanese name for ''

Illicium religiosum ''Illicium anisatum'', with common names Japanese star anise, Aniseed tree, and sacred Anise tree, known in Japan as , is a tree closely related to the Chinese star anise (''Illicium verum)''. Since it is highly toxic, the fruit is not edible; i ...

'' as well as an element in ''miyama shikimi'' (ミヤマシキミ, 深山樒), the Japanese name for ''Skimmia japonica''. ;Species and subspeciesPlants of the World Online
/ref> *''

Skimmia anquetilia ''Skimmia anquetilia'' is a species of shrub that is cultivated for its decorative fruits and bright pink flowers. It is grown mainly in gardens. It can tolerate frost. Several cultivars were created from this species. It is native to the Himalaya ...

'' N.P.Taylor & Airy Shaw. Western Himalaya to Afghanistan. Shrub to 2 m. *''

Skimmia arborescens ''Skimmia arborescens'' is a small tree or shrub. It is grown as an ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space ...

'' T.Anderson ex Gamble. Eastern Himalaya to southeast Asia. Shrub or small tree to 15 m. *''

Skimmia japonica ''Skimmia japonica'', the Japanese skimmia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, native to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Growing to tall and wide, it is a rounded evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves. It is widely ...

'' Thunb. Japan, China. Shrub to 7 m. **''Skimmia japonica'' subsp. ''distincte-venulosa'' (Hayata) T.C.Ho **''Skimmia japonica'' var. ''lutchuensis'' (Nakai) T.Yamaz. **''Skimmia japonica'' subsp. ''reevesiana'' (Fortune) N.P.Taylor & Airy Shaw *''

Skimmia laureola ''Skimmia laureola'' is a species of shrub grown as an ornamental plant. The leaves are edible when cooked. The leaves give an aromatic smell when crushed. It produces white flowers that develop into small round red berries. The berries are eaten ...

'' (DC.) Decne. Nepal to Vietnam and China. Shrub or small tree to 13 m. **''Skimmia laureola'' subsp. ''lancasteri'' N.P.Taylor **''Skimmia laureola'' subsp. ''multinervia'' (C.C.Huang) N.P.Taylor & Airy Shaw Skimmias are fed on by aphids, Horse Chestnut Scale, Garden Leafhopper, and Southern Red Mite.

Cultivation

Skimmias are grown as garden plants for their foliage, flowers, and showy red fruits. They are grown in shade, with moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils. They are tolerant of both drought and air pollution. A large number of cultivars have been selected for garden use: *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Emerald King' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Fragrans' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Godrie's Dwarf' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Keessen' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Kew White' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Nymans' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Rubella' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Rubinetta' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Ruby Dome' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Wanto' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'White Gerpa' *''Skimmia japonica'' 'Veitchii' *''Skimmia japonica'' subsp. ''reevesiana'' 'Ruby King' *'' Skimmia × confusa'' 'Kew Green' (''S. anquetilia'' × ''S. japonica'')

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q158193 Zanthoxyloideae genera