Styrax japonicus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Ordo: Ericales

Familia: Styracaceae
Genus: Styrax
Species: Styrax japonicus
Varieties: S. j. var. kotoensis
Name

Styrax japonicus Siebold & Zucc.
References

Fl. jap. 1:53, t. 23. 1837-1838
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Styrax japonicus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 08-Apr-12.

Vernacular names
English: storax, Japanese snowbell

Styrax japonicus (野茉莉),[1] the Japanese snowbell, is a species of flowering plant in the family Styracaceae, native to China, Japan and Korea. Growing to 12 m (39 ft) tall by 8 m (26 ft) broad, it is a graceful, spreading deciduous tree with oval, upward-facing leaves which occasionally turn yellow or orange before falling in autumn. Masses of slightly fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers hang from the branches in summer, followed by fruits (drupes) which resemble olives in both shape and colour.[2][3]

It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), but prefers a sheltered position in full sun or dappled shade, with acid or neutral soil.[2] The cultivar 'Fargesii', with larger flowers and leaves than the typical species, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5]