Pterostyrax hispida
Common name: 
Epaulette Tree
Fragrant Epaulette Tree
Pronunciation: 
te-ro-STI-raks HIS-pi-da
Family: 
Styracaceae
Genus: 
Pterostyrax
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf, deciduous shrub or tree, as a shrub to 20 ft (6 m), a tree may reach 50 ft (15 m), spreading branches, rounded, open crown; bark gray, shredding on stems, becoming corky and furrowed.  Leaves alternate, simple, ovate-oblong, 8-20 cm long, 4-10 cm wide, rounded or wedge shaped (cuneate) at base, tip acute, margins finely bristly toothed (dentate) (vein ends extend past the blade margin), green above and gray-green below.  Flowers in axillary pendulous clusters, 10-20 cm, fragrant, cream-white, 5 petals, stamens much longer than petals; bloom in early summer (May-June).  Fruit cylindrical, 1 cm long, 10 ribbed, densely bristled.
  • Sun for best flowering, well-drained soil, prefers acid soil.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4         Native to Japan and China
  • hispida: bristly, the fruit
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: near southwest corner of West Hall, on 30th St.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaf, expanding and mature

    leaf, expanding and mature

  • leaf

    leaf

  • young tree, flowering

    young tree, flowering

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • young tree, fruiting

    young tree, fruiting

  • fruit clusters and leaves

    fruit clusters and leaves

  • fruit clusters, fall

    fruit clusters, fall

  • fruit clusters, winter

    fruit clusters, winter

  • winter twigs, buds

    winter twigs, buds