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"Shii-mochi" (Ilex buergeri) belongs to Aquifoliaceae (the Holly family). It is a tall evergreen tree that is distributed in western Honshu, from western Shimane prefecture to Yamaguchi prefecture, part of Shikoku, Kyushu inJapan, and central China. It is dioecious and can reach 6 to 8 m in height. The leaves are oblong with a thin cortex, alternating and pointed. From April to May, inflorescences are borne on the axils and bloom small yellow-green flowers. The fruits ripen red in winter. The Japanese name is because the bark is grayish white and resembles "Mochi tree" and the leaves resemble "Japanese chinquapin". Also known as "Bizen-mochi".
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