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Halesia tetraptera Ellis

Carolina silverbell

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderEbenalesIncludes ebony, persimmon, silverbell, many others
FamilyStyracaceaeTemperate climate trees and shrubs
GenusHalesiaSilverbells. Named for polymath Stephen Hales
Speciestetraptera“Four-winged,” describing the fruit

About plant names...

Carolina silverbell is native to the southeastern United States. Trees are common in the higher elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Identification: Small, irregular trees may reach 30-40′ (9.1-12 m) in height. Bark is smooth and slightly rippled, with gray and green stripes, like muscles. Older trees are furrowed, and rougher. Leaves are dark green, alternate, roughly oval-shaped but quite variable, with smooth margins and pointed tips. Flowers are attractive, bell-shaped, white, hanging in clusters of up to five. Fruits are uniquely shaped, with four "wings" or sections, oval-shaped from the side, looking more like a "+" sign in cross-section. They are 1-1½″ (2.5-3.8 cm) long.

Online References:

Www.carolinanature.com

Www.carolinanature.com (Halesia tetraptera var. tetraptera)

Www.treetrail.net

The Ohio State University PLANTFacts database

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Leafsnap.com

References:

Sibley, David Allen, The Sibley Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, 2009, p. 371

 

Halesia tetraptera description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Halesia tetraptera (Carolina silverbell)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts

Halesia tetraptera (Carolina silverbell)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts

Halesia tetraptera (Carolina silverbell)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts

Range: Zones 5-8:

About this map...