Epaulette Tree
Pterostyrax corymbosa

Family: Styracaceae

What it is like

Pterostyrax corymbosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Thickets around 1300 metres in Kiangsi. Damp shaded areas along streams in forests at elevations of 400 - 1600 metres.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a good loamy soil and a sunny position. Requires a deep acid soil in sun or semi-shade. A fast-growing tree. Often confused with P. hispida. Flowers are most abundantly produced on wood that was well-ripened the previous summer. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at 5°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in the late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Halesia corymbosa. (Sieb.&Zucc.)Nichols.