Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Styracaceae

Genus:

Styrax

Species:

Styrax platanifolius

USDA Symbol:

STPL3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Tree

Height:

450 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may

Bloom Colors:

white

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fall Color:

yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from roots following fire; adapted to periodic burns in Texas Hill Country ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rocky, well-drained limestone soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to rocky slopes and limestone areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–150 days

Germination Time:

30–90 days

Notes:

Double dormancy requiring warm followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic over multiple seasons.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI