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"Ogatama-no-ki" (Michelia compressa) belongs to Magnoliaceae (the Magnolia family). It is a tall evergreen tree that is distributed from Kanto district of Honshu west to Shikoku, Kyushu of Japan and Taiwan, the Philippines. This tree grows in coastwise forests and can reach about 15 m in height. Barks are dark brown and leaves are dark green, glossy, oblong and alternate. Fragrant white flowers on the axiles come from February to April. Tepals are generally 12 with ponceau bases. Fruits are aggregates and ripen red from September to October. This tree is also frequently planted on Shinto shrine grounds because it is considered sacred to the god.
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