Little Epaulette is a flowering tree native to China and Japan and a member of the storax family, a small family of flowering plants containing 12 genera and about 160 species of trees and shrubs, including the more common Silverbell. Little Epaulette has a rounded form that opens as the tree matures. Although it can reach 20 feet high, it does have shrub-like traits. It will produce hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers at an early age. The flowers are said to suggest the epaulettes on military uniforms, hence the common name. The genus name comes from the Greek words pteron meaning a wing plus Styrax for the winged seeds. Little Epaulette does best in deep, fertile, moderately moist, acidic, well-drained soil in full sun, although it does tolerate light shade. It will benefit from some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Full sun encourages flowering and flowering tends to diminish as the amount of shade increases. Site in a location sheltered from cold, winter winds. Propagate by seed or cuttings. The plant can be pruned in winter to a desired shape. It has relatively rapid growth, reaching full size in 10 to 20 years. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.