Pterostyrax hispidus, the epaulette tree or fragrant epaulette tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Styracaceae, native to China and Japan. Growing to 15 m (49 ft) tall by 12 m (39 ft) broad, it is a substantial, spreading, deciduous shrub with oval leaves up to 20 cm (8 in) long, and clusters of pure white, fragrant, pendent flowers in summer.[1][2]
| Pterostyrax hispidus | |
|---|---|
| |
| P. hispidus, Curtis's Botanical Magazine vol.136 | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Styracaceae |
| Genus: | Pterostyrax |
| Species: | P. hispidus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pterostyrax hispidus | |
The Latin specific epithet hispidus (often given incorrectly as hispida or hispidum) refers to the small ribbed fruits which are covered in bristles. The common name "epaulette tree" refers to the fringed individual flowers.
In cultivation the plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ^ "Missouri Botanical Garden - Pterostyrax hispidus". Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Pterostyrax hispidus". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 82. Retrieved 23 September 2018.