Styracaceae - Botanical Family

Botanical name: Halesia carolina

Common names: Carolina Silverbell, Snowdrop Tree

Family: Styracaceae

Origin: North America

In the wild Halesia carolina is a small tree of the forest understorey and an important nectar source for bees. The seeds are eaten by squirrels.

It has a moderate growth rate and lives about 100 years. The white bell-shaped flowers and small size make it a desirable tree for landscaping.

Prefers a moist, well-drained, acid soil.

Close related species - Sinojackia rehderiana.

Botanical name: Sinojackia rehderiana

Common name: Jacktree

Family: Styracaceae

Origin: East China

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Close related species - Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina) reaches its greatest size in the southern Appalachian Mountains where it is called mountain silverbell. This attractive shrub or small tree, also called snowdrop-tree or opossum-wood, grows in moist soils along streams in the understory of hardwood forests. It has a moderate growth rate and lives about 100 years. The white bell-shaped flowers and small size make it a desirable tree for landscaping. The seeds are eaten by squirrels and the flowers provide honey for bees.

Botanical name: Styrax japonicus

Common names: Japanese Snowbell, Ego Noki

Family: Styracaceae

Origin: Eastern Asia

Styrax japonicus is a small, graceful, deciduous tree. Flowers are white, bell-shaped with a mild fragrance, 3 to 6 flowers on a stalk. Styrax japonicus is similar to Styrax officinalis.

Botanical name: Styrax obassia

Common name: Fragrant Snowbell

Family: Styracaceae

Origin: Japan, China

Fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers are borne on 4-inch to 8-inch long chains. Flowers dangle from rounded, dark green foliage in late spring, followed by small light brown fruits that usually drop by late fall.

Botanical name: Styrax officinalis

Common names: Drug Snowbell, Storax

Family: Styracaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

They can be grown in full sun or light shade in light, acidic soil that has been improved with loam or peat moss. They may also be increased by layering the lower branches, however, seeds are the best means of propagation. Some kinds of Styrax produce a highly fragrant, balsamic resin called Benzoin. It is used in lotions, perfumes, tooth powders and incense and as an expectorant, inhalant and an antiseptic for external use.