Practical
Plants

Styrax japonica

Japanese Storax

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Styrax genus in the family Styracaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Styrax
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
8 m
Spread
6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[2][5]. The fruit is about 14mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruits are used as beads in rosaries etc[6]. An oil is obtained from the seed[9][11]. No further details are given. Wood - fine-grained. Used to make umbrella handles[9][11].

Product or use
Beads
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Thickets and thin woods in mountains and hills all over Japan[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[3]. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification[4]. 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, July/August in a frame[4]. Layering in autumn.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light lime-free soil in sun or semi-shade[3][7]. 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[3]. Prefers a warm sheltered position with protection from the morning sun[3]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[7] but the young growth is liable to be damaged by late frosts[3]. A very ornamental plant[1] but it is slow to establish itself and is slow growing[7]. There are some named varieties[6]. The sub-species S. japonica fargesii is stronger growing in Britain[6]. The flowers have an exquisite scent[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

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