日本柃木（五列木科）是否分布於台灣一直是有爭議的。本種在台灣的分布最早由Henry在1896年提出。之後，大多數相關研究都同意Henry的觀點。然而，台灣植物誌第二版卻將本種排除於台灣。我們檢視了在標本館中曾被過往文獻引證為日本柃木的標本，發現這些標本都是別種的柃木屬植物。因此，我們認同台灣植物誌第二版的見解。雖然如此，在2003年時，本文通訊作者在龜山島採集到一種特徵為全株光滑無毛的柃木。經過審慎的文獻與標本查證之後，確認其就是日本柃木。因此，台灣確定有日本柃木的分布。本文針對本種的特徵進行描述，同時提供手繪圖與照片，作為協助鑑定之用。
The existence of Eurya japonica Thunb. (Pentaphylacaceae) in Taiwan has been controversial in the past few decades. This taxon was first mentioned in Taiwan by Henry in 1896. Thereafter, most studies agreed with Henry's opinion. However, this species was excluded from the Flora of Taiwan, 2^(nd) ed. In examining available specimens cited as E. japonica in former publications, we found that all of them should be other species, which is congruent with the view of the Flora of Taiwan. Nevertheless, when the corresponding author was conducting a field survey on Gueishan Island in 2003, an unknown Eurya species characterized by glabrous buds, branchlets, and leaves was collected. By a careful review of the literature and specimens, this taxon was determined to be E. japonica. Therefore, the distribution of E. japonica in Taiwan was confirmed. In this article, we describe E. japonica according to our new finding. A line drawing and photos are also provided to help identify this plant.
