Carolina silverbell (Halesia tetraptera)
Family: Styracaceae
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| Form:
Small tree, 30 – 40 ft. in height. |
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Leaves: [if 789 not_equals=””] Shape: oblong-ovate to oval[/if 100] Margin: serrate Texture: pubescent below |
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| Bark:
It has greenish bark with white stripes when young. Older trees develop ridges and furrows and have a gun metal blue color. |
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| Twigs and Buds:
The twig is slender and brown and often lacks a terminal bud. |
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| Flowers and Fruit:
It has white, bell-shaped flowers and a nut-like fruit with 4 prominent wings. |
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| Distinguishing Characteristics:
Look for the Bell shaped flower, alternate ovate leaves, the 4-winged fruit, and it’s distinctive bark. |
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| Range:
West Virginia south to Alabama west to Oklahoma. |
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| Silvics:
It is shade tolerant and prefers moist bottoms and low slopes |
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| Ecological and Cultural Importance:
Desirable landscape tree. Wood used in crafts. Squirrels eat the seeds. |
