American Snowbells Styrax americanus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STYE-racks a-mer-ih-KAY-na
- Description
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This slender branched shrub/tree is native to the southeastern US and can be found growing in swamps, marshy areas, stream banks, and other wet locations. Its form is a wide, open crown. Its spring rounded white flowers grow singly or in clusters of up to 4 blooms. When blooming, an aura of a fragrant white cloud is present. After flowering has completed, hairy fruits emerge.
Its dense, uniform branches originate from the base and up the main trunk. They do not sucker from the roots
Seed can be used for propagation. Once the seed has turned a glossy brown and the capsule has begun drying, collect the seed and store in a sealed container under refrigeration. Seed collected from the ground is not recommended for propagation.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant does not do well when situated in tight conditions with other plants. It will do fairly well in full sun as long as adequate water is supplied.
- 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:
- Styrax
- Species:
- americanus
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native ornamental
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A., NC
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Host to Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia Promethea). Fragrant flowers attract pollinators, butterflies and birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A hairy subglobose (imperfect sphere) fruit follows flowering. At maturity, the fruits will be a gray-brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The bell-shaped flowers bloom either single or in clusters of 1-4. The flowers are white and have yellow stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The bright green leaves are up to 3" in size. May have a minimal amount of hair.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin, smooth and dark gray bark, but, fissures with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Short-lived
