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Halesia carolina - L.

Common Name Silver-Bell Tree, Carolina silverbell, Mountain silverbell
Family Styracaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist woods along the sides of streams in the mountains[43, 184].
Range South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Oklahoma.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Halesia carolina Silver-Bell Tree, Carolina silverbell, Mountain silverbell


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Meneerke_bloem
Halesia carolina Silver-Bell Tree, Carolina silverbell, Mountain silverbell
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Meneerke_bloem

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

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Halesia carolina is a deciduous Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. carolina.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

The ripe fruit is chewed for its acidity[183]. Unripe fruits are sometimes pickled[2, 183].The fruit is about 4cm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Wood - soft, light, close-grained[82]. It weighs 35lb per cubic foot[235]. Trees occasionally grow large enough for saw timber and are then cut and used for panelling and cabinet making[229].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a deep moist sandy soil[1, 11]. Succeeds in most moist soils[184] and in most positions[11] so long as they are well-drained[202]. Requires a lime-free soil[200]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -25°c[184]. A very ornamental plant[1, 11], it has a moderate rate of growth and lives about 100 years[229]. It can flower when only 1.2 metres tall[113]. The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume[245]. The sub-species H. tetraptera monticola forms a tree about 24 metres tall. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78, 113, 200]. It takes 18 months to germinate[113]. Warm stratifying the seed for 2 - 3 months at 14 - 25°c then cold stratifying for 2 - 3 months at 0 - 5°c can reduce the germination time. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame. Roots in 28 days. A fair percentage[78]. Layering in early spring as the buds break. Takes 12 months. High percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Halesia tetrapteraSilverbell or Mountain SilverbellTree10.0 4-8 MLMHFSNM202

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Apr 7 2011 12:00AM

This plant is also meant to have edible flowers but eating them would mean less of the nice fruit, best eaten green and crunchy with a pea like flavour. Beautiful plant and good for bees. Very untroubled and disease resistant.

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Subject : Halesia carolina  
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