Big-Leaf Snowbell (Styrax grandifolia)

Fruits of Styrax grandifolia hanging on the tree, breaking free of their coverings.

Each spherical fruit is less than half an inch. They are hard and brown. Note the line dividing the fruit in half.

The sphere breaks into two halves.

Summer Update

Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) has been flowering for a couple of months now. The water droplets in the photo are courtesy of the arboretum's sprinklers. Although, over the past couple of days we have had some rain.

Fruits of the persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana) blend in with the leaves. They aren't ripe yet, but getting bigger.

The red buckeyes (Aesculus pavia) still have most of their leaves and their fruits are conspicuous.

The big-leaf snowbells (Styrax grandifolia) are covered in little fruits.

There is only one, but very large, nut on the little pignut hickory (Carya glabra).

Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana) fruits are ripening on the branch. Much of the fruit has dropped to the ground early.

Louisiana catchfly (Silene subciliata) flowers are a brilliant red. There are several nice patches scattered throughout the arboretum.

We're waiting on Magnolia grandiflora to reveal its bright red seeds.

Cones are hanging from the branches of the spruce pine (Pinus glabra).

The stunning fruits of the French mulberry (Callicarpa americana) bushes are typically a sign of the end of summer, transitioning to fall. There are approximately 10 significant bushes throughout the arboretum, with only one or two bushes showing off their ripening berries.

Tree of the Week: Big-Leaf Snowbell (Styrax grandifolia)

Big-leaf snowbells (Styrax grandifolia) are blooming this week in the arboretum. Clusters of small, delicate, fragrant white flowers adorn the slender limbs of this dainty tree. The new leaves add to the elegant display of flowers. 

The big-leaf snowbells have been in the collection since the early days of the arboretum. Jack Price donated the collection's three original plants. In September 1988, Ed Leuck planted those individuals in one group towards the bottom of a hill that slopes down to the drainage for the arboretum. Additional seedlings were added to the same group in 2003. These small trees grow happily with spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.), Louisiana catchfly (Silene subciliata), and a volunteer witch-hazel (Hamamelis sp.). 

 

Brief video capturing pollinators at work and highlighting the daintiness of this small tree, nearing 30 years of age.

Flowers occur in racemes.

The 'big-leaf' differentiates Styrax grandifolia from Styrax americana.

Bark detail: smooth

You can see additional photos of the arboretum's big-leaf snowbells here.

For more information about this species consult the following:
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours (LSU AgCenter)
Texas Native Plants Database
United States Department of Agriculture

Styrax grandifolia