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Native Plant Database

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Styrax americanus (American snowbell)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Styrax americanus Lam.

American snowbell, American snowbells, American silverbells, Big-leaf snowbell, Storax

Styracaceae (Snowball Family)

USDA Symbol: STAM4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is a slender-branched, deciduous shrub or small tree, 8-15 ft. tall, with a wide, wispy, open crown. American snowbell’s showy, white, bell-shaped flowers are borne in pairs from leaf axils. When in bloom, they cover the plant creating a fragrant, white cloud. The foliage is bright-green and glossy.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DC , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to VA & MO
Native Habitat: Moist woods; wooded stream banks; swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Moist to wet, cool, acid soils. Acid-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam
Conditions Comments: Does not compete well with other shrubs or trees. Tolerates wet feet.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Accent shrub, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Stratify seeds and sow in a greenhouse in January or February, or sow fresh, untreated seed outdoors in the fall. Seeds do not germinate well in warm temperatures. Silverbells can be increased by layerings or softwood cuttings.
Seed Collection: Collect the seeds when they have turned a glossy brown and the capsule has begun to dry. Avoid collecting seeds from ground. Store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify for 60-90 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
LAMTREE FARM - Warrensville, NC

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Georgia Native Plant Society - Atlanta, GA

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1081 Collected 2011-08-31 in Marion County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Styrax americanus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Styrax americanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Styrax americanus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-06-05
Research By: TWC Staff

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