Common Name: Mountain Sweet Pepperbush

General Information

Clethra acuminata is a deciduous tree up to 6 metres tall in the wild, but more likely to be shrub-like under cultivation[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its fragrant flowers in late summer[].
Clethra acuminata has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2022)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern N. America - Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Habitat

Deciduous montane woods, usually in moist sites; at elevations from 500 - 1,400 metres[]..

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Clethra acuminata is a moderately cold-hardy plant, when dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -20°c[, ].
Prefers growing in an open woodland with its roots in the shade. It requires a humus-rich, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil[].
A good bee plant[], the flowers are very aromatic[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The inner bark is emetic. A decoction is taken to induce vomiting when a person is unable to retain food and to expel 'disordered bile'[270. Combined with the bark of wild cherries (Prunus spp.), a decoction is used to break a high fever[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse[]. Only just cover the seed and keep the pot moist. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 13°c[]. When 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 once they are more than 20cm tall in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[, ]. Very easy[].
Root cuttings in December/January[].
Layering of current years growth in late autumn. Takes 18 months. Can also be done in early spring[].