Gampi

Gampi or ganpi^[1] are a group of Japanese shrubs, members of the genus Wikstroemia, some of which have been used for making paper since the 8th century.^[2] It is used to make the high quality washi paper, as are the kōzo and mitsumata trees.^[3]

Wikstroemia uva-ursi with unripe fruit

Wikstroemia gemmata

Various sources have identified gampi or ganpi as:

• Wikstroemia albiflora Yatabe: known as Miyama ganpi in Japan^[4]
• Wikstroemia canescens (Wall.) Meisn.^[1] (syn. Diplomorpha canescens^[5]): a south Asian plant
• Wikstroemia ganpi (Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim.: known as Ko ganpi in Japan^[4]
• Wikstroemia kudoi Makino: Endemic to Kyushu (Yakushima). Known as Shakunan-ganpi in Japan.^[6]
• Wikstroemia pauciflora (Franch. & Sav.) Makino: known as Sakura ganpi in Japan^[4]
• Wikstroemia pseudoretusa Koidz.: Endemic to the Ogasawara Islands. Known in Japan as Munin-aoganpi.^[6]
• Wikstroemia retusa A.Gray:^[5] known in Japan as Ao ganpi^[4]
• Wikstroemia sikokiana Franch. & Sav.^[7] (syn. Diplomorpha sikokiana^[5]): known in Japan as Ganpi^[4]
• Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino: used for paper-making in China, Korea and Japan;^[8] known as Ki ganpi in Japan.^[4]