Styrax confusus
Hemsl.
Styracaceae
Styrax fukiensis W.W.Sm. & Jeffrey
Styrax jucundus Diels
Styrax mollis Dunn
Styrax philadelphoides Perkins
Styrax serrulatus vestitus Hemsl.
Common Name:
General Information
Styrax confusus is a deciduous shrub or a small tree growing around 2- 8 metres tall, occasionally reaching up to 20 metres. The trunk is around 12cm in diameter[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
,
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of oil and wood. The seeds are a rich source of oil and are seen as a potential source of biofuel. The plant is grown as an ornamental.
Styrax confusus is common and widespread across southern and southeastern China. There appears to be a significant amount of suitable habitat across its distribution and it occurs in several protected areas. There are no known major threats to this species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2024)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
E. Asia - southern China
Habitat
Mixed forests and thickets, on hillside slopes and summits, on sandy or clay soils. It also occurs along streams and roadsides[
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. Sparse foress on mountain slopes; at elevations from 100 - 1,700 metres[
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Shrub |
| Height | 5.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Styrax confusus is moderately cold-tolerant and should survive winter temperatures falling to around -10°c[
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].
Plants in this genus tend to prefer a warm, sheltered position in a moist but well-drained acidic soil[
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The oil from the seeds has a range of different uses[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The oil extracted from the seeds is used as a soap and a machine lubricant[
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. It can also be used to make a printing ink[
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Recent research (2015) has been undertaken to investigate the use of the seed oil for biodiesel synthesis, because of its widespread distribution and the high oil content of the seeds (up to 50%)[
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The wood is used for making tools[
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Propagation
Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification[
113- Title
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
- Publisher
- Athens Ga. Varsity Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0942375009
- Description
- A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. Germination is usually good, prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Overwinter in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[
113- Title
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
- Publisher
- Athens Ga. Varsity Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0942375009
- Description
- A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
Layering in autumn.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
