Styracaceae

Styracaceae, the storax family, is a small family of flowering plants in the order Ericales. It comprises several genera of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, totaling roughly a hundred species. The center of diversity is East Asia, with additional species in North America and Southeast Asia. The North American clade includes genera such as Halesia and related groups, while Asia houses the greatest variety of Styrax species.

Description

Members are typically trees or shrubs with simple, alternately arranged leaves and small, often fragrant flowers. Flowers are usually white or pale pink, bell- or cup-shaped, and arranged in terminal or lateral clusters. The fruit forms vary by genus, commonly a capsule or a drupe.

Genera and notable species

The best-known genera are Styrax (storax trees), Halesia (silverbells), Pterostyrax, and Alniphyllum. Styrax japonicus (Japanese snowbell) and Halesia carolina (Carolina silverbell) are widely grown as ornamentals. Several Styrax species have historically produced resin, marketed as storax, used in perfumery and traditional medicines.

Uses and ecology

Storax resin from Styrax species has long been valued in perfumery, incense, and therapeutic traditions; the wood is used for timber in some regions. In cultivation, multiple species are prized for their ornamental flowers. Ecological habitats range from temperate forests to woodlands, with requirements varying by species but generally favoring well-drained soils.

Taxonomy

Styracaceae is recognized in modern classifications within Ericales. The circumscription has varied in the past, but molecular studies have clarified intergeneric relationships within the family.