Calycanthus - Beautiful Flowers and Fragrance

Calycanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Calycanthaceae. The name Calycanthus comes from the Greek words "kalyx", meaning cup, and "anthos", meaning flower. This refers to the fact that the flowers of these plants are borne in a cup-like structure called a calyx.

There are only two species of Calycanthus, both of which are native to eastern Asia:

1. Calycanthus chinensis - This species is found in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It grows up to 6 feet tall and has fragrant, white flowers with purple spots on the petals.
2. Calycanthus occidentalis - This species is found in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It grows up to 8 feet tall and has fragrant, pink or red flowers with yellow stamens.

Calycanthus is a relatively rare genus of plants, but it is highly prized for its beautiful flowers and fragrance. The plants are also sometimes grown as ornamentals in gardens.