Duranta repens is also known as the “Geisha Girl”. Other common names: Pigeon Berry, Sky Flower, Dew Drops. In the family of the Verbanaceae
Duranta repens, is found in northern Japan though the large fast-growing multistemmed shrub also grows in places from Florida to Brazil and the Caribbean. The plant appears to have adapted to temperate and the cold since northern Japan has deep snow, although the plant is called a desert tropical elsewhere (see duranta repens as established tree in photo below).
Two-storey high duranta repens (left) seen in a residential garden in Kamakura
The orange or yellow berries are poisonous (so why do birds eat them)?
It is popular as a screen or background planting but is too vigorous and tall to use against the foundation or in small areas. The full clusters of fragrant pale blue flowers attract butterflies in summer and are followed by bunches of golden-orange berries, popular with birds. Flowers and fruit are often found on the plant simultaneously and make an attractive show. Yellow fruit often hangs on the plant into the winter if the birds don’t eat them.
NATURE IN JAPAN 