Bigleaf snowbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bigleaf snowbell |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Styrax
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| Species: |
grandifolius
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The Bigleaf Snowbell (Styrax grandifolius) is a beautiful plant. It is also called the Bigleaf Storax. This plant grows naturally in the southeastern United States. You can find it from Virginia all the way to Florida, and west to Texas and Missouri.
This plant can be a deciduous shrub or a small tree. It can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) tall. You will often find it in the higher forests of the southeastern Piedmont region. As its scientific name grandifolius suggests, it has very large leaves. These leaves can be up to 14 cm long and 10 cm wide. They are hairy on the underside. In early summer, the plant produces white flowers in clusters. Each cluster can have up to 20 flowers.
Contents
What Does the Bigleaf Snowbell Look Like?
The Bigleaf Snowbell is a deciduous shrub or tree. This means it loses its leaves in the fall. It can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) tall. Its bark is dark and has streaks.
Leaves
The leaves are one of the most special parts of this plant. They are much larger than those of similar plants in its family. The leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the stem. They are shaped like an upside-down egg, called obovate. They can be up to 14 cm long and 10 cm wide. The top side of the leaf is dark green. The underside is covered with dense, soft hairs. This makes the bottom of the leaf look whitish-grey. The leaf stems are short, only 2 to 10 mm long.
Flowers
Styrax grandifolius has many beautiful white flowers. They grow in larger clusters than other plants in its group. Each cluster can have as many as 20 flowers. These flowers appear in early summer. Each flower has 5 sepals that are joined together. It also has 5 petals that are joined at the bottom but separate at the top. There are 10 stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. These stamens have yellow or orange tips.
Fruits
From June to October, the Bigleaf Snowbell produces small, nut-like fruits. These fruits are called drupes. They are about 7 to 9 mm wide. The brownish-green fruit usually holds up to 3 seeds inside.
How is it Different from Other Snowbells?
The Bigleaf Snowbell looks very similar to the American Snowbell (Styrax americanus). However, the American Snowbell has smaller leaves and fewer flowers in its clusters. This helps you tell them apart.
Where Does the Bigleaf Snowbell Grow?
The Bigleaf Snowbell is native to the southeastern United States. Its natural home stretches from Virginia south to Florida. It also goes west to Texas and Missouri. You will most often find it in the higher forests of the southeastern Piedmont area.
Preferred Habitats
Bigleaf Snowbells like to grow in shady spots. They can be found in open, moist upland forests. They also grow near floodplains, often on slopes that drain water well.
Soil and Elevation
These plants can grow in many different types of soil. This includes rocky clay, sandy soil on hillsides, and gravelly soil. They can also handle a wide range of soil acidity, from a pH of 5 to 7. You can find them at different heights, from about 90 feet to 1,300 feet above sea level.
Even though they are tough, Bigleaf Snowbells do not like very wet soil. They also do not like direct sunlight. This is why they often grow as an understory plant. This means they grow under taller trees in the forest.
Who Visits the Bigleaf Snowbell?
The Bigleaf Snowbell is an important plant in many forest communities. These include mixed forests and upland deciduous forests in the southeastern United States.
Pollinators
The Bigleaf Snowbell attracts many different pollinators. These are animals that help the plant make seeds. The most common visitors are honeybees and bumblebees. Other pollinators that visit include:
- Swallowtail butterflies
- Syrphid flies (also called hoverflies)
- Sphingid moths (also called hawk moths)
- Wasps
- Solitary bees
Is the Bigleaf Snowbell Protected?
Overall, the Bigleaf Snowbell is considered safe worldwide by the Nature Conservancy. However, its status can change from state to state in the United States.
State Status
- In Illinois and Indiana, the Bigleaf Snowbell is considered endangered. This means it is at high risk of disappearing from these states.
- In Virginia, it is on a "watch list." This means people are keeping an eye on it.
- In Ohio, it is thought to be completely gone from the wild.
Threats to the Plant
This understory shrub faces some risks.
- Forest Management: Some ways of managing forests can hurt it. For example, clear-cutting (removing all trees) or even selective logging (removing only large trees) can expose it to too much sun. Remember, Bigleaf Snowbell does not like direct sunlight.
- Land Development: Building new homes or businesses can also be a threat. While the plant can handle some damage from landscaping, compacted soil (soil that is squished down) is bad for it.
- Invasive Species: Aggressive plants that are not native to the area can harm it. Examples include Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). In the South, kudzu (Pueraria lobata) can also be a problem.
- Extreme Weather: Bigleaf Snowbells can also be hurt by very cold weather or droughts. This usually happens in areas at the very edge of where they normally grow. For example, in higher parts of South Carolina, early spring freezes can damage the flower buds.
Images for kids
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A Bigleaf Snowbell tree in bloom.
