Family: Styracaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1044 (1759)
Year: 1759
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Halesia
Vegetable: False
Observations: EC. & SE. U.S.A.
Description
Carolina silverbell, scientifically known as Halesia carolina, is a distinguished member of the Styracaceae family. This attractive deciduous tree hails predominantly from the southeastern and eastern regions of the United States.
The Carolina silverbell is renowned for its graceful and delicate appearance, making it a popular choice for ornamental planting. It typically features charming, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom profusely in the spring. These blossoms hang in small clusters, creating a visually captivating display reminiscent of dangling silvery bells, which aptly explains the tree’s common name.
As the seasons change, the tree undergoes a remarkable transformation. Its dark green leaves turn a vibrant yellow in the fall, adding a splash of color to the landscape. Additionally, this plant produces distinctive, winged fruits that resemble small, four-winged samaras, further contributing to its ornamental appeal.
Growing to a moderate height, usually between 30 to 40 feet, the Carolina silverbell favors well-drained, fertile soils and thrives in a variety of light conditions, ranging from full sun to partial shade. It is well-adapted to the temperate climates found in its native range in the eastern and southeastern United States.
In cultivation, Halesia carolina is valued not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its relatively low maintenance requirements. It is a robust tree that, once established, can withstand various environmental conditions, making it a versatile choice for both private gardens and public landscapes.
The Carolina silverbell was first described by Linnaeus in 1759, marking its place in the annals of botanical history. Linnaeus’s classification, detailed in the 10th edition of “Systema Naturae,” underscores the longstanding recognition and appreciation of this elegant tree.
In summary, the Carolina silverbell is a plant that combines elegance, seasonal beauty, and adaptability, making it a cherished addition to gardens and natural settings across its native range in the United States.
Common Names
Eng: carolina silverbell, florida silverbell, little silverbell, mountain silverbell, silverbell, silverbell-tree, snowdroptree
Dan: carolinsk sneklokketræ
Swe: snödroppsträd, storblommigt snödroppsträd
Nld: sneeuwklokjesboom
En: Carolina silverbell, Florida silverbell, Mountain silverbell, Silverbell-tree, Snowdroptree, Little silverbell, Silverbell
Ar: هاليزية كارولينة
Da: Carolinsk sneklokketræ
Nl: Sneeuwklokjesboom
Fi: Karolinanvitikellopuu, Vuorivitikellopuu
De: Carolina-Schneeglöckchenbaum, Carolina-Silberglocke
No: Snøklokketre
Sv: Snödroppsträd, Storblommigt snödroppsträd, Snödroppstäd
Synonyms
- Halesia carolina var. parviflora ((Michx.) A.E.Murray)
- Halesia carolina subsp. parviflora ((Michx.) A.E.Murray)
- Halesia monticola ((Rehder) Sarg.)
- Halesia carolina subsp. monticola ((Rehder) A.E.Murray)
- Halesia carolina var. mollis ((Lange) G.Perkins)
- Halesia tetraptera (L.)
- Carlomohria carolina ((L.) Greene)
- Mohrodendron carolinum var. meehanii ((Sarg.) Sarg.)
- Carlomohria parviflora ((Michx.) Greene)
- Halesia parviflora (Michx.)
- Halesia monticola var. vestita (Sarg.)
- Mohrodendron tetraptera ((L.) Britton ex Ridgway)
- Halesia tetraptera var. grandifolia (Lavallée)
- Halesia tetraptera var. carnea (Mouill.)
- Halesia monticola f. rosea (Sarg.)
- Halesia tetraptera var. parviflora ((Michx.) Schelle)
- Halesia tetraptera f. stenocarpa ((K.Koch) Voss)
- Halesia carolina f. dialypetala ((Rehder) C.K.Schneid.)
- Halesia tetraptera var. meehanii (Sarg.)
- Halesia tetraptera var. mollis (Lange)
- Halesia tetraptera var. glabrescens (Lange)
- Halesia tetraptera f. laevigata (Schelle)
- Halesia tetraptera f. dialypetala (Rehder)
- Mohrodendron meehanii ((Sarg.) Sudw.)
- Halesia meehanii ((Sarg.) Meehan ex Prain)
- Halesia tetraptera var. monticola ((Rehder) Reveal & Seldin)
- Mohrodendron parviflorum ((Michx.) Britton)
- Mohria parviflora ((Michx.) Britton)
- Halesia carolina var. laevigata ((Schelle) G.Perkins)
- Halesia carolina var. glabrescens ((Lange) G.Perkins)
- Mohrodendron carolinum ((L.) Britton)
- Halesia carolina var. meehanii ((Sarg.) G.Perkins)
- Halesia carolina var. monticola (Rehder)
- Mohria carolina ((L.) Britton)
- Halesia stenocarpa (K.Koch)
- Halesia tetraptera var. rosea (Pépin)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jun 5, 2022 by C J (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Mick Crawley (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2010 by EOL − Michael Kesl (public)
Bark
Taken Oct 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Faith Williams (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2011 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2015 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Nicolas Houlbert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2021 by malot w (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2022 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 5, 2021 by t g (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371655)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319532-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Halesia carolina L.)
Specifications
Growth form>: Single Stem
Growth habit>: Shrub, Tree
Growth rate>: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 4.7