Styrax officinalis
Real Storaxbaum ( Styrax officinalis)
The Real Storaxbaum or True Styraxbaum ( Styrax officinalis) is a shrub or small tree from the family of Storaxbaumgewächse ( Styracaceae ). The branches are initially pubescent tomentose, leaves pubescent. The white, fragrant flowers are about 2 inches long. Its resin is also for incense and perfumes medicinal use, from the fruits rosaries are made.
Description
The Real Storaxbaum is a deciduous, up to 7 feet tall, broad upright shrub or small tree with thin and at first tomentose star hairy branches. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. The leaf blade is ovate, 4-6 inches long, entire and initially hairy weißflaumig. The lower leaf surface is gray-green.
The pedicled 1 to 2 inches long, grow about 2 inches long and fragrant flowers in threes to eight in drooping, terminal clusters on short shoots. The calyx is cup-shaped, almost entire or five -to seven- fold perforated. The corolla tube is very short, the five to seven corolla lobes are white, densely hairy and narrow - lanceolate. The fruits are globose, about 1 inch thick, leathery and white wool with receive constant chalice. The Real Storaxbaum flowers in April and May.
Distribution and habitat requirements
The natural range is in Europe in Italy, on the Balkan Peninsula, Greece and on Crete and Cyprus; in Asia in Israel, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. In Southern France the species was naturalized. She is the only representative of the family in the Mediterranean area. The Real Storaxbaum grows in open woods, in thickets and along river banks on dry to fresh, mildly acidic to strongly alkaline, sandy, sandy- gravelly or sandy- loamy rich soil to hot sunny locations. The species is frost - and moisture- sensitive. The distribution area is the Hardiness Zone 9 is associated with mean annual minimum temperatures -6.6 to -1.2 ° C ( 20 to 30 ° F).
System
The Real Storaxbaum ( Styrax officinalis) is a species in the genus Storaxbäume ( Styrax ) in the family of Storaxbaumgewächse ( Styracaceae ). It was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum first time scientifically. The genus name Styrax was used before Linnaeus for the type, and also used by the Romans and Greeks. The specific epithet officinalis is a common only to Linnaeus times and Neo-Latin expression corresponds to the German term " officinal ".
Use
The resin obtained from the branches and trunks is very fragrant. It has antiseptic and expectorant and is used as a spice and for the manufacture of perfumes and Räucherwerken. From the fruits of rosaries are made. The Real Storaxbaum is sometimes planted as an ornamental because of its decorative flowers.