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Pterostyrax hispidus

Fragrant Epaulette Tree · Epaulette Tree

Family StyracaceaeGenus Pterostyrax

Long, drooping clusters of small creamy white flowers among bright green leaves
FlowerMarco MussitaCC BY 4.0
A plate of long drooping sprays of small white bell flowers with yellow anthers, hanging below broad veined leaves, with dissections at the side.
IllustrationM.S. del., J.N.Fitch lith.Public domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
20-50 ft6-15 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
20-40 ft6-12 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
JapanGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The name epaulette tree comes from its fringed flowers, and hispidus from its small ribbed fruit covered in bristles. It can reach 15 m and carries hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers in summer. Wikipedia: Pterostyrax hispidus

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 35 days to germinate.

33% germination in 35 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Pterostyrax p. 69Public domain
Show the original text
Pterostyrax (Styracaceae). P. hispidus germ. 70 GA-3(2/6 in 5th w), 70L(1/6 in 4th w), 70D-40-70D-40-70D-40(none), and 40-70D-40-70D-40-70D( 1 /6 on 7th d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Pterostyrax p. 69. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 28 days to germinate.

17% germination in 28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Pterostyrax p. 69Public domain
Show the original text
Pterostyrax (Styracaceae). P. hispidus germ. 70 GA-3(2/6 in 5th w), 70L(1/6 in 4th w), 70D-40-70D-40-70D-40(none), and 40-70D-40-70D-40-70D( 1 /6 on 7th d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Pterostyrax p. 69. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 4, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 3, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 15 months from start to step 6. Germination happens during step 6, in 7 days.

17% germination in 7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Pterostyrax p. 69Public domain
Show the original text
Pterostyrax (Styracaceae). P. hispidus germ. 70 GA-3(2/6 in 5th w), 70L(1/6 in 4th w), 70D-40-70D-40-70D-40(none), and 40-70D-40-70D-40-70D( 1 /6 on 7th d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Pterostyrax p. 69. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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