Common Name: Storax Tree

General Information

Styrax officinalis is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow around 1 - 5 metres tall, occasionally reaching 7 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its swetly-scented flowers[].
Styrax officinalis 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(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern Mediterranean - Italy to Turkey and the Levant

Habitat

Dry rocky slopes, often on limestone; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[]. Woods and thickets, also by streams[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Styrax officinalis is a plant of the Mediterranean and requires hot summers if it is to thrive[]. It is not very cold-hardy outside the milder regions of the temperate zone. Dormant plants can tolerate short periods with temperatures down to about -5°c[] but the young growth in spring is liable to be damaged by late frosts[]. Plants are known to succeed in the milder parts of Britain[] - they were growing and fruiting well on a west-facing wall at Kew (London) in 1992[].
Requires a light lime-free soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. If planted out when young into a planting hole that has been filled with a light lime-free soil the plants will successfully grow into the surrounding soil[]. Prefers a warm sheltered position with protection from the morning sun[]. Dislikes wet soils. Established plants are drought tolerant, they grow better in Britain when the summer is dry.
Plants do not flower freely unless in a warm sunny spot or on a south facing wall[]. The flowers are very fragrant[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

A highly perfumed balsamic gum is obtained from the branches and stems[]. It is occasionally used as a condiment[]. This gum is almost certainly the resin described below[].

Medicinal

A resin obtained from the stems of the plant is antiseptic and expectorant[, , ].

Other Uses

The fragrant resin 'storax' is obtained by wounding the stem[, ]. It is used medicinally, in perfumes, incense etc[, ].

The fruits are used as beads in rosaries etc[, , ].

The wood is used to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification[]. 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[].
Layering in autumn.