Styrax obassia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STYE-racks oh-BAY-see-uh
- Description
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Fragrant snowbell is a large-leaved flowering tree. Its leaves can reach lengths of up to 8". As the leaves mature each spring, the tree is adorned with fragrant white, bell-shaped flowers that appear in pendulous, terminal racemes. These racemes can reach 8" in length, giving a showy appearance. After flowering, drupes are formed. They may be present into late autumn.
The bark on older specimens can experience exfoliation which reveals a showy inner layer. This orange layer will often provide winter interest.
This tree is pyramidal to oval in youth, but more open and rounded as it ages. Its branches are ascending. To control the shape of this tree, it is best to prune in the winter.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: The leaves and flower buds can be damaged by frost.
- 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:
- obassia
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Korea and Japan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Open
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fleshy, oval to round fruits can be showy.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Description:
- Flowers on 4-8" drooping racemes
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green 3-8" leaves are
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Bark has numerous twists and turns
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
