Styrax officinalis

Styrax officinalis

Styrax officinalis

Styrax officinalis; a deciduous shrub with the most attractive white flowers. These are produced on the current season’s shoots. Initially a spherical creamy bud that on opening reveals a cluster of yellow anthers held on white filaments. Reference material mentions scented flowers; it is barely perceptible, even on a warm, still, humid day.
The ovate foliage is velvety to the touch and has a vague grey tomentose sheen to the reverse.

A native to southern Europe and the Middle East. Plants were observed growing in southern Anatolia, Turkey in field margins, cultivated areas and on steep slopes at 1098m. Our plants growing near the west gate have signs of winter tip dieback, but nothing detrimental to the plant which has put on good growth through this spring and into early summer.