Japanese storax, Japanese Snowbell, Japanese snowdrop, Snowbell tree
Styrax japonicus
Family: Styracaceae
What it is like
A loose open shrub or small tree. It grows 9 m tall and spreads 2.7 m wide. The mature bark is dull grey often with orange cracks. It loses its leaves during winter. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are pear shaped and taper at both ends. They are 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. There are a few small teeth along the edge. They are dark green but silvery white underneath. The leaves turn red or yellow in autumn. The flowers are long and bell-shaped. They are 1.5 cm long. They droop in clusters under the fan like branches. The flowers are white. The fruit is round or egg shaped and grey and like a berry. It is 1.5 cm long and has one seed.
There are about 100 Styrax species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is native to China, Japan and Korea. It is frost hardy. It does best in sunny locations and in rich moist soil. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Melbourne Botanical gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan. Arboretum Tasmania. National Arboretum Canberra.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, North America, SE Asia, Tasmania
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit, fruit - oil
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ttaejuknamu