Styrax+Japonicus

Styrax Japonicus - Japanese Snowbell



Styrax japonicus is a tall 20' to 30' deciduous flowering tree with spreading horizontal branches. Foliages of this plant is dark green in summer, yellow to red in the fall. The fruit is a grayish drupe, somewhat ornamental, late summer, drops by late fall. The tree prefers moist, well drained, acidic soil. The species is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.
 * Historical Origins of the Plant**

The culture of the plant requires sun to partial shade, and grows in moist, well-drained fertile soil. The plant should be shelter from the wind, and grows well where summers are hot and humid. The Japanese Snowbell can be propagated by cuttings, or by seed.
 * Cultural Significance of the Plant**

The flowers that grow from the Japanese Snowbell are white bell-shaped drupes that are 3/4 inch wide hang from a green stalk, which appears from May to June. Fruits from the species are egg-shaped 1/2 long grayish-green drupes, maturing in late summer and persisting to fall.
 * Importation or Cultivation of the Plant in the US**

There are many uses of this particular plant. The strong wood of the tree have commonly been used to make prayer beads and umbrella handles in Asia. Moreover, the Japanese Snowbell is a very showy and desirable plant that can be used for landscaping. It has many cultivars/varieties, including the Emerald Pagoda and Pink Chimes.
 * What We Can Learn**

Excerpt from [] //On his expedition to South Korea in 1985, J. C. Raulston observed a special snowbell near the mountaintop of Sohuksan Island. This unique beauty had large, deep green leaves and an upright form, much more attractive than the typical species. Cuttings of this plant were brought back to the Arboretum.//

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 * Sources**