Styrax L. (Styracaceae)

A genus of about 120-130 species of trees and shrubs; s. Europe, Malesia, se. Asia, se. North America, and tropical America.

Two species occur in North Carolina; both are native to the state.

1. Leaves narrowly elliptic to ovate or obovate, usually 2-8 cm long, 1-4 cm wide, the apices short- to long-acuminate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent beneath (to densely pubescent and then giving the underside of the leaf a rusty color in var. pulverulentus); inflorescence usually of 1-7 flowers...S. americanus (American snowbell)

Bark of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Twig of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Fruit of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves and fruit of Styrax americanus (Copyright W. Cook)

N.C. distribution of Styrax americanus

U.S. distribution of Styrax americanus

Styrax americanus (American snowbell)
(Uncommon [rare in Pd]; swamp forests, pocosin edges, other moist to wet habitats; Pd, CP; Fl: Apr-Jun, Fr: Jul-Sep)

1. Leaves generally broadly obovate, sometimes broadly ovate, 5-14 cm long, 4-10 cm wide, the apices acute to short-acuminate, densely and finely pubescent beneath, giving the underside of the leaf a pale color; inflorescence usually of 5-20 flowers...S. grandifolius (Bigleaf snowbell)

Bark of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Bark of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Twigs of Styrax grandifolius (coming soon)

Leaves of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves and flowers of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers and leaves of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers and leaves of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers and leaves of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Styrax grandifolius (Copyright W. Cook)

Fruit of Styrax grandifolius (coming soon)

N.C. distribution of Styrax grandifolius

U.S. distribution of Styrax grandifolius

Styrax grandifolius (Bigleaf snowbell)
(Uncommon [rare in Mt]; upland forests, bluffs; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: Apr-May, Fr: Aug-Sep)