Pterostyrax corymbosus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Halesia corymbosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- ter-oh-STY-raks ko-ree-um-BOW-sis
- Description
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Little Epaulette is a flowering tree native to China and Japan and a member of the storax family, a small family of flowering plants containing 12 genera and about 160 species of trees and shrubs, including the more common Silverbell. Little Epaulette has a rounded form that opens as the tree matures. Although it can reach 20 feet high, it does have shrub-like traits. It will produce hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers at an early age. The flowers are said to suggest the epaulettes on military uniforms, hence the common name. The genus name comes from the Greek words pteron meaning a wing plus Styrax for the winged seeds.
Little Epaulette does best in deep, fertile, moderately moist, acidic, well-drained soil in full sun, although it does tolerate light shade. It will benefit from some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Full sun encourages flowering and flowering tends to diminish as the amount of shade increases.
Site in a location sheltered from cold, winter winds. Propagate by seed or cuttings. The plant can be pruned in winter to a desired shape. It has relatively rapid growth, reaching full size in 10 to 20 years.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pterostyrax
- Species:
- corymbosus
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast China and Japan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Five-ribbed, 1/2 inch, winged fruit hang in clusters that persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Five to 10 inch panicles of fragrant, creamy white flowers blossom in early summer. The flowers droop in pendulous clusters, hanging from one side.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green above and silvery green below, oblong to oblong-ovate leaves (3 to 7 inches long) with acuminate tips. Fall color is yellow-green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Brown, smooth peeling bark with pale striations.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-stemmed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Flowering Tree
- Screen/Privacy
