he original poem refers to a specific tree: the katura tree. There is some disagreement among the commentators as to whether this is the same as the modern katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), a species native to China and Japan. It is an upright, gracefully branching tree, growing up to 15 m (50 feet) tall. Its leaves are reddish purple when they emerge, turn green as they mature, and become yellow to scarlet before they fall. Given the lack of certainty, I used a vaguer term in the English translation.