Coast Snowball Styrax grandifolius
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STYE-racks gran-dih-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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Styrax grandifolius, commonly known as Bigleaf Snowbell is a deciduous tree native to North Carolina. In nature, it can be found in mesic to dry upland hardwood forests, on rocky slopes, and in ravines. It forms thickets. Commonly found as an understory tree in mature hardwood forests.
Its white, bell-shaped flowers form as racemes, each having 5 to 20 flowers. Some images indicate that the flowers may be partially concealed by its large leaves. When in full bloom, this is not the case. The showy flowers are quite visible.
It's said that this plant will perform better when grown in the garden than what is found in the wild. A controlled environment or location will allow the plant to flower at its best. In the wild, optimum conditions cannot be guaranteed. A heat loving specimen, growing in climates that experience cooler summers may also lead to a less than successful habit.
Named for its very large leaf. It can be easily propagated by leaf cuttings. It is classified as a FACU, a Facultative Upland species meaning it rarely occurs on wetlands.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Styrax
- Species:
- grandifolius
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native ornamental
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Southeastern U.S.
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies, bees, and pollinating insects. Birds and other small animals use the fruits as a food source.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 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
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- In North Carolina, the fruits are available from August to September. They contain 2 to 3 seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White bell-shaped axillary racemes 5-6” with 5-20 flowers. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from April to May. White in color with yellow stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The upper surface is dark green and ranges from glabrous to sparsely pubescent. The lower surface is a soft pubescent with the hairs appearing to give the surface a whitish coloring. The hairs are star shaped.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, thin, dark gray and streaked.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Smooth ascending branches.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Poor Soil
