Elaeocarpus sylvestris

The tree grows up to 15 m (49 ft) and is found in evergreen forests at altitudes comprised between 300 and 2,000 m (980 and 6,560 ft). The evergreen shiny leaves are oblanceolate. The greeny-white flowers are grouped in racemes and are followed by black olive-like fruit in autumn.

The woodland elaeocarpus is native to South-Central and Southeast China, Hainan, and Vietnam.

The larvae of the moth Leucoblepsis excisa feed on the leaves of E. sylvestris. In urban forests of Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, the Formosan squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus taiwanensis) is a pest to the tree because of its gnawing habit. Woodland elaeocarpus in susceptible to Elaeocarpus yellows, a disease discovered in 1999 and a type of Phytoplasma disease, which causes a chlorosis (Japanese: 萎黄病 iō-byō) of the plant. Oxytetracycline has been used to fight the pathogen.

The fruits of the woodland elaeocarpus are edible. The oil from the seeds may be processed into soap or lubricants. The bark may be used as a source for dye. The wood does not resist water, so it is not considered good timber, but it is used for growing shiitake mushrooms. It is also used for planting along streets and in parks.

The horutonoki (Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus) is the tree symbol of Japanese city Urasoe, Okinawa. Wild Dampalsu trees (Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus) in Cheonjiyeon Waterfall are South Korean Natural Monument no. 163.