How to identify Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)

How to identify Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)

Japanese Snowbell is a deciduous tree showcasing a graceful habit that evolves with maturity—from a younger vase-like shape to an older, broad-rounded crown. Its horizontal branching patterns are noticeable and aesthetically pleasing. The tree thrives in moist, acidic, and well-drained soil conditions, showing a preference for both full sun and partial shade exposure. It lightly filters sunlight with its foliage and demonstrates a moderate salt tolerance. Japanese Snowbell's form and soil adaptability make it a distinctive and recognizable species.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Japanese Snowbell

White campanulate flowers with yellow stamens less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size.

Broad-elliptic leaves measuring 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) with shiny dark green surfaces.

Distinctive zigzag-patterned light brown stems, 0.5 to 1 inch (1.2 to 2.5 cm) in diameter.

Ovoid gray-white dry drupe fruit with a single seed, hanging pendulously from branches.

Textured gray-brown bark with orange fissures forming intricate patterns on the trunk.

Detailed Traits of Japanese Snowbell

Leaf Features

The leaves of japanese Snowbell are alternate and simple, broad-elliptic to elliptic-oblong in shape. Each leaf is acuminate at the tip and cuneate at the base, measuring 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) in length and approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. The edges are shallowly toothed and the surface is dark glossy green. The leaves have a smooth texture and both the upper and lower surfaces feature a prominent vein pattern, contributing to their distinctive appearance.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The waxy flowers of japanese Snowbell are white, slightly fragrant, and campanulate. Measuring less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size, they are borne on short lateral shoots with long pedicels about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length. The corolla features 5 lobes, which are united near the base. The stamens are a striking yellow. These features are crucial for identifying the flower, particularly the campanulate shape and the prominent yellow stamens.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

Japanese Snowbell's stems are multi-stemmed, light brown, and display a unique zigzag pattern. The surface features irregular orange-brown fissures, making them slightly rough to the touch. Branching patterns are distinctive, with leaf scars appearing 2-ranked along the stem. When pruned, the stems can also form a tree-like shape. Typical stem thickness is approximately 0.5 to 1 inch (1.2 to 2.5 cm) in diameter.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of japanese Snowbell is an ovoid-shaped dry drupe, typically found in a subtle gray-white tone with a pendulous nature. It possesses a smooth texture and encases a single seed. This drupe is often observed hanging delicately from the branches, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal. In terms of size, the drupe maintains a modest dimension which can be appreciated by novice plant enthusiasts alike. Key to its identification is the characteristic hue and solitary seed which lies nestled within the fruit's interior.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Japanese Snowbell and Their Similar Plants

Fragrant snowbell vs. Japanese Snowbell: What's The Difference?

Tree height reaches 6 to 15 m. The branches are green and have fine star-like hairs in the new branches, but the epidermis splits vertically when it becomes 2 years old, and becomes dark purple brown when it peels off. The bark is grayish black and smooth at first. The leaves are alternating, the leaf blades are 10 to 20 cm long and 6 to 20 cm wide, and fall from oval to wide oval, the tips are short and caudate, the base is round or wide wedge-shaped, and the edges are There are fine tooth-like saw blades with sharp tips. Star hair grows densely on the back of the leaves and turns grayish white. The whole inflorescence is 8 to 17 cm long and hangs down from the tip of the branch. The corolla is 1.7 to 1.9 cm in length and is deeply divided into five. The fruit is an oval shape with a diameter of 1.5 cm, with a fruit tip, slightly tipping, and star-shaped hair densely growing on the fruit epidermis. There is one seed, and when it ripens, the skin peels vertically, and the fruit falls with brown seeds, leaving a cup-shaped cocoon.

American snowbell vs. Japanese Snowbell: What's The Difference?

The deciduous and slender-branched american snowbell has glossy, bright-green foliage. Its flowers are bell shaped and white, creating a fragrant, cloud-like appearance when in bloom. This species attracts fruit birds, butterflies, and bees with its conspicuous and ornamental flowers. It’s easy to overlook in the wild though because it thrives in shady areas.

Identify Japanese Snowbell easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Japanese Snowbell

Attributes of Japanese Snowbell

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Plant Height

12 m

Spread

8 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Orange

Flower Size

2 cm to 3 cm

Flower Color

White

Fruit Color

Green

Brown

Copper

Silver

Gray

Stem Color

Green

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Japanese Snowbell

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)

Learn More About the Japanese Snowbell

Distribution Map of Japanese Snowbell

Japanese Snowbell is originally found in East Asia, extending its presence through several temperate and subtropical regions on the continent. It has also been introduced to areas well outside its native range, finding suitable habitats elsewhere. Today, japanese Snowbell is cultivated in many parts of the world, thriving in various locales that mirror its native climate and conditions.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Japanese Snowbell

A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Snowbell How to Grow and Care for Japanese Snowbell