This is an introduced species form China and grows as an evergreen shrub as tall as 3m. The leaves are quite large and can be 5 cm in length. The species is often confused with C. franchetii. This has been the case with a well known specimen on the Great Orme which until recently had been shown on WFS trips as C. franchetii but is now known to be C. sternianus.

It is mostly to be found naturalised in southern England and the midlands but the part of north Wales where this one was photographed is also as stronghold. There is a little to be found in southern Scotland and Ireland

Llandulas Quarry 29th June 2007

Added on 28th November 2007, updated 7th December 2008, updated 20th March 2010, updated Se3 4th May 2010