About Styrax americanus Lam.
Styrax americanus, commonly called American snowbell, is a plant species native to the southeastern United States and the Ohio Valley. It has been documented growing across a range from Texas and Florida in the south and west to Virginia and Missouri in the north and east. This species typically grows in swamps, floodplains, and other wet locations. It forms as a shrub or small tree that reaches a maximum height of 5 meters, or 17 feet. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate in shape, and can grow up to 10 centimeters, or 4 inches, long. Flowers of this species grow from the leaf axils of some leaves. Two varieties of Styrax americanus are recognized. The first, Styrax americanus var. americanus, also called American snowbell, is common in swamp forests and wet habitats. Its range extends from West Virginia south to Florida, and west to Texas and Missouri. The second is Styrax americanus var. pulverulentus, commonly called downy American snowbell. It is common in wet pine flatwoods, with a range extending from South Carolina south to Florida, and west to Texas and Missouri.
