Styrax

The genus Styrax includes more than 100 species of evergreen and deciduous small trees and shrubs. The leaves are regular leathery elliptical, sometimes pubescent. The flowers are white, fragrant, collected in a brush, bloom in spring. Fruit-drupe (fleshy fruit with lignified seed). Japanese styrax (Styrax japonicum) with fan-shaped branches is cultivated exclusively as an ornamental species. The leaves are elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, pointed, with a serrated edge. The bell-shaped flowers have long yellow stamens. Oval-shaped fruits stay on the plant for a long time. This is the most- hardy species of the genus (can tolerate temperatures up to -15 °C). It is especially elegant during flowering with elegant drooping white fragrant flowers. Styrax officinalis (S. officinalis) is a species with a straight trunk, rough gray-brown bark. The crown is spreading. The leaves are ovate-elliptical, green and glossy on the upper side, densely pubescent and light on the lower side. Flowers are collected in apical brushes, bloom in late spring. The fruits are rounded greenish-white aromatic drupes. In addition to being decorative, the view is valued as an incense. Styrax obassia (S. obassia) is also a very decorative crop with a rounded crown, elliptical leaves and bell-shaped flowers. Styrax americanum (S. americanum) is a shrubby species with straight-up branches. Styrax tonkinensis (S. tonkinensis) contains a high-quality resin with a large amount of vanillin, cinnamic and benzoic acids. The resin of many types of styrax is used in medicine and cosmetics.

The genus Styrax includes more than 100 species of evergreen and deciduous small trees and shrubs. The leaves are regular leathery elliptical, sometimes pubescent. The flowers are white, fragrant, collected in a brush, bloom in spring. Fruit-drupe (fleshy fruit with lignified seed).

Japanese styrax (Styrax japonicum) with fan-shaped branches is cultivated exclusively as an ornamental species. The leaves are elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, pointed, with a serrated edge. The bell-shaped flowers have long yellow stamens. Oval-shaped fruits stay on the plant for a long time. This is the most- hardy species of the genus (can tolerate temperatures up to -15 °C). It is especially elegant during flowering with elegant drooping white fragrant flowers.

Styrax officinalis (S. officinalis) is a species with a straight trunk, rough gray-brown bark. The crown is spreading. The leaves are ovate-elliptical, green and glossy on the upper side, densely pubescent and light on the lower side. Flowers are collected in apical brushes, bloom in late spring. The fruits are rounded greenish-white aromatic drupes. In addition to being decorative, the view is valued as an incense.

Styrax obassia (S. obassia) is also a very decorative crop with a rounded crown, elliptical leaves and bell-shaped flowers.

Styrax americanum (S. americanum) is a shrubby species with straight-up branches.

Styrax tonkinensis (S. tonkinensis) contains a high-quality resin with a large amount of vanillin, cinnamic and benzoic acids.

The resin of many types of styrax is used in medicine and cosmetics.

Cultivation

Styrax is usually grown in the open ground in parks and gardens. They are planted on a permanent planting site in autumn (in areas with cold winters) or in spring. Plants prefer fresh, fertile and well-drained neutral or slightly acidic soils, and do not tolerate calcareous ones. They have a regular crown shape, so styraxes usually do not need pruning at all, but dry, damaged and unsightly branches should be removed.

Location

Styrax prefers partial shade, but if the soil moisture is suitable, it can also grow in the open sun.

Temperature

These are generally resistant species, but they can be damaged by severe prolonged frosts. Therefore, especially in areas with cold winters, it is recommended to protect (shelter) styrax from frost. The minimum temperature that the plant tolerates is -5 -15 °C.

Watering

It is necessary during the period of drought, first of all for young plants immediately after planting in the ground.

Reproduction

The most common method is to sow seeds in the ground in the fresh air in autumn or spring. It takes 1-3 months for seeds to germinate. Semi-woody cuttings are also used, which are taken in July. Plant in a mixture of peat and sand, taken in equal parts, pre-treated with growth stimulants and placed in a closed place until complete root formation.

Diseases

In a humid environment, spots often appear on the leaves due to various fungi. They are treated with fungicides. On unsuitable (too heavy, cold, or waterlogged) soil, diseases can develop that lead to partial death or complete death of the plant. Therefore, pay special attention to the choice of a plot for planting.

Acquisition

Styrax is purchased in well-supplied specialized nurseries and horticultural centers. Choose relatively small, but well-formed specimens that are easier to plant in the ground.