Halesia diptera

Two-wing silverbell
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Styracaceae
Genus:	Halesia
Species:	H. diptera
Binomial name
Halesia diptera J.Ellis

Halesia diptera, the two-wing silverbell or two-winged snowdrop tree, is a species in the family Styracaceae, native to the southeastern United States from South Carolina and Florida west to eastern Texas. ^[2] It is cultivated as an ornamental tree.

Description

It is a large shrub or small tree reaching 4–8 m tall. The leaves are deciduous, 6–12 cm long and 4–7 cm broad. The flowers are white, 2-2.5 cm long, produced in clusters of 3–6 together. The fruit is a dry (non-fleshy) drupe with two wings down the sides; this distinguishes it from the other species of Halesia , which have four wings on the fruit. ^[3]

Wildlife, including squirrels, eat the unripe sour green fruit. ^[4]

Varieties

There are two varieties: ^[2]

• Halesia diptera var. diptera
• Halesia diptera var. magniflora R.K.Godfrey

Mature tree in flower

References

1. IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; et al. (BGCI) (2020). "Halesia diptera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T152857713A152905527. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T152857713A152905527.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. "Halesia diptera". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 21 January 2018.
3. Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN   0-333-47494-5.
4. Little, Elbert L. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. New York: Knopf. p. 639. ISBN   0-394-50760-6.