Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) on the household Shinto altar

Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) on the household Shinto altar

Flowers bloomed to Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) on the household Shinto altar.
The size of buds are around 1.5mm and the flowers are around 2-3mm, they have sweet smell.
The character of Sakaki is “榊”, which is combined “God” with “a tree”. But I don’t know why this tree has been chosen as an offering even though there are many other evergreen trees…??? I checked it, but I did not find the clear origin…