Plant of the day is: Pterostyrax corymbosus or epaulette tree

Plant of the day is: Pterostyrax corymbosus or epaulette tree

It is nice to have a plant I don't have to scrounge around so many different places for information on.  This is a new tree for me but plenty of information out there on it.  I've got a couple little seedlings that I'm holding my breath on whether or not they can make it through the summer.  If not, I'll try again,

Why do we fall?  So we can learn to pick ourselves up.

Not really much in the way of CC images for this either.  Here is site with great info and pictures.

Taxonomy etc.:  A member of the very small Pterostyrax genus.  Just 4 other species in the genus which occur in the Styracaceae family.  The Styracaceae family is also quite small with only 11 genera and around 140 species.  All but the genus Styrax are composed of 5 or fewer species.  The standout genus you might recognize is Halesia (silver bells) of which we have the lovely Halesia carolina that manages to grow in St. Louis when well cared for.  When looking at the flower structure it is easy to see the relationship between Halesia and Pterostyrax.  As an odd detail, the genus is masculine but the species tend to be feminine.  Gender bending plants.  

Description:  A deciduous small tree hardy to about USDA zone 5-6 through 8.  The family is noted for having sprially arranged simple leaves with no stipules.  Flowers are symmetrical with fused petals.  Most species in the family are large shrubs to small trees and this certainly fits that bill, only reaching about 5m in height.  Fruits of the family are usually a dry capsule but this particular genus has fruits that are drupes.  The fruit also has narrow wings that make for the genus name Pterostyrax or "winged styrax".  Flowers are white, occur in early summer, and as you can see above, formed in pendant panicles.  The flowers are small and bell shaped.  Oh, they smell good too.  Supposedly some pretty decent fall color with shades of yellow.

Native Range:  Eastern China and Japan, Thickets around 1300 meters in Kiangs.  Damp shaded areas along streams around 400m to 1600m elevation.  

Culture:  This is where it gets interesting.  I suspect this plant takes a similar environment to our native Hydrangea arborescens.  It occurs in and probably grows very well in dappled or light shade that is moist but well drained.  The downside to this, is that you miss a lot of flowering.  Sunlight is a requirement for good flowering for many a species.  This species can take some full sun, but I should think it would like a little shade in the afternoon/evening.  As with a Hydrangea, the more sun, the more water needed, so plan accordingly.  

Propagation:  I sowed these outside on the 2nd of December (in St. Louis, MO) and by Mid March had germination.  Sown in a poly covered hoop-house so there was no snowfall.  4 out of 8 seeds.  Right on that 50% mark.  Reported as needed a 3 month cold stratification at 5C but definitely good to know that a Missouri winter and spring can provide.  Young seedlings were subjected to some late (but light) frosts with no problems.  

asiaflora.com photo they can come at me if they like.