學名：Pieris taiwanensis

Family name: Ericaceae

Scientific name: Pieris taiwanensis

 

 

　　見到這有趣的名字，可知道它的由來？顧名思義，因為馬醉木的莖葉及果實都有毒性，馬吃了會有麻醉或昏迷的情況，因此有了這樣的名稱。馬醉木主要生長在海拔2,000-3,300公尺的森林，是台灣的特有種，也是高山地區常見的常綠灌木；每年春秋二季開白色壺狀花，總狀花序下垂在枝間，相當小巧可愛。

 

 

　　Known in Mandarin as “horse drunk plant,” Taiwan pieris has poisonous stems, leaves and fruits that could cause a horse to faint, hence the descriptive name. This endemic species grows in forests between 2,000 and 3,300 meters. An evergreen shrub, Taiwan pieris blooms in spring and fall with white, bell-like flowers in pendent panicles.