The superb schima is a tall, fast-growing, flowering evergreen tree in the tea family (Theaceae). It grows in subtropical regions of South China to Hainan, Nansei-Shoto to Taiwan, and Vietnam. The genus name, Schima, is derived from the Greek word for shadow, skiasma, and the species name superba means superb. It prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained, acid soils. In its native habitat it is up to 65 feet tall and as much as 30 or more feet wide but may stay smaller in temperate conditions. The bark can cause contact dermatitis. Valued as a fast-growing, evergreen, flowering tree, Superb Schima is best planted as a specimen tree or in a larger woodland garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : No significant problems
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.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 65 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Crenate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Evergreen glossy, smooth leaves are 2.75 to 5 inches long and 1 to 1.5 inches wide, green on the upper surface and pale green underneath. The underside of leaves may be smooth or have sparse, downy hairs.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Showy, fragrant 5-petaled white flowers about 1 inch in diameter appear in summer in racemes of 4 to 8
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are subglobose capsules, .5 to .75 inches in diameter that mature late fall to early winter.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Bark has longitudinal fissures, but texture varies in smoothness and color varies from light brown to dark gray, depending on native habitat.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, Nansei-shoto, Taiw
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Uses (ethnobotany)
Used in traditional Chinese medicine; also has insecticidal and antifungal properties.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Woodland
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#showy flowers #glossy leaves #evergreen #white flowers #flowering tree #small tree #evergreen tree #tropical feel #coastal plant