Exochorda racemosa (Lindl.) Rehder

Pearlbush

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Pearlbush is an introduced deciduous shrub in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to Asia. Pearlbush is sometimes planted as an ornamental in Alabama and it has been reported as an escape in one south Alabama county. In addition, it has been reported as an escape in 16 other states in the United States as well as in Europe and Australia. Pearlbush occurs on fence rows, around old home sites, and in weedy urban forests. It is a woody shrub with erect or arching stems reaching from 8-16 feet in height. The bark is gray-brown and tight. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to obovate in outline, with entire or serrate margins. The leaves are glabrous to slightly hairy. Flowers are produced in terminal racemes with the new growth. The racemes have 4-10 flowers. Flowers have a bell-shaped hypanthium. There are 5 triangular green sepals and 5 white petals. The fruit is a 5 pointed star-shaped capsule.--A. Diamond

This species was first reported as part of the non-native flora by Alvin Diamond in 2014.

Not Native

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