| + | Halesia (Stephen Hale, 1677-1761, author of a famous work on "Vegetable Statics"). Syn. Mohrodendron. Styracaceae. Silver-Bell. Snowdrop-tree. Trees or large shrubs grown for their handsome white flowers, appearing in spring. |
| + | Deciduous and more or less stellate-pubescent: lvs. short-petioled, without stipules, involute in bud, denticulate: fls. in axillary clusters or short racemes on branchlets of the previous year; calyx-tube obconical, slightly 4-ribbed, with 4 minute teeth; corolla campanulate, 4-lobed or nearly 4-parted, white; stamens 8-16; style slender; ovary inferior, 2-4-celled, with 4 ovules in each cell: fr. an oblong, dry drupe with 2-4 longitudinal wings; stone 1-3-seedea.—Three species in N. Amer. |
| + | The snowdrop-trees are large shrubs or trees with rather large bright green generally oblong and short- stalked leaves and white slender-stalked drooping bell-shaped flowers appearing before or with the leaves and followed by winged light brown fruits. Halesia Carolina is hardy as far north as Massachusetts and is very handsome in spring when covered with its white flowers. Halesia diptera is hardy as far north as Philadelphia and is usually a smaller plant, but has larger flowers and leaves. They thrive in almost any good soil, but prefer a rich well-drained soil and a sheltered position; they are easily transplanted. Propagation is by layers or root-cuttings in spring or autumn; also by greenwood cuttings taken from forced plants. Seed should be sown at once or stratified: if allowed to become dry, it does not germinate until the second or sometimes the third year. |