Styrax grandifolius Aiton

Bigleaf Snowbell; Bigleaf Storax; Large Leaf Storax

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Bigleaf Snowbell is a native deciduous shrub in the Storax family (Styracaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Bigleaf Snowbell grows in mesic or xeric pine or hardwood forests, on bluff, on rocky slopes, in ravines, and around rock outcrops. It is a shrub or small tree growing from 4-12 feet in height. It is a colonial species suckering from the roots. The bark is smooth and gray. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, oval to suborbicular in outline, with entire or serrate margins. The upper leaf surface is dark green and glabrous or sparsely pubescent. The lower leaf surface is softly pubescent, the hairs giving the lower leaf surface a whitish color. The hairs are star-shaped (stellate). Fragrant flowers are produced in terminal appearing drooping racemes of 2-19 flowers. Individual flowers are white in color with 4-6 spreading or recurved corolla lobes. The fruit is a globose, nut-like structure with 2-3 seed. Bigleaf Snowbell is a showy species when in flower. It is sometimes available from nurseries that specialize in native trees and shrubs. Bigleaf Snowbell prefers a well-draining soil in full to partial sun. Plants are tolerant of drought and nutrient poor soils.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU- (NWPL)

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