Styrax japonica

COMMON NAME: Japanese Snowbell Tree

FAMILY: Storax Family; Styraceaceae

GROWTH HABIT: A small tree ( to 30 ft.) with slender, widely spreading branches.

FOLIAGE: Simple, alternate, deciduous, 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 in. long. Ovate or elliptic with abruptly or gradually pointed apex and wedge-shaped base. margin wavy, often with a few irregular, shallow teeth. soon glabrous except for tufts of hair in the vein axils below. Petiole 1/4 - 1/3 in. long.

BUDS: Small, stalked, maked, scurry, superposed, terminal bud lacking.

FLOWERS: Late spring or early summer. Petals white, usually five; stamens orange or yellow. Many clusters each containing three to four blossoms. hang close to the undersides of the branches. Each blossom an inch of less across.

FRUIT: Smooth, greenish-gray ovoid or rounded droop, 1/2 - 12/3 in. long on a long stalk.