Styrax argenteus
C.Presl
Styracaceae
Strigilia argentea (C. Presl) Miers
Styrax magnus Lundell
Styrax myristicifolius Perkins
Styrax pilosus (Perkins) Standl.
Styrax polyanthus Perkins
Styrax polyneurus Perkins
Styrax vulcanicola Standl. & Steyerm.
Common Name:
Flowering plant at San Francisco Botanical Garden, California
Photograph by: Stan Shebs
General Information
Styrax argenteus is an evergreen tree usually growing around 20 metres tall, but with occasional specimens to 30 metres.
The tree is harvested from the wild for its aromatic resin, which is used locally. Flowers of this species are regarded as highly decorative and are sometimes sold in local markets[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Styrax argenteus has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
The bark is used to poison fish[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
].
Botanical References
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
Range
Central America - Panama to Mexico.
Habitat
Humid, seasonal evergreen and deciduous forest; pasture; open scrub; often along waterways; in moist ravines; dry limestone ridges; forest edges; disturbed slopes, and with various types of secondary growth at elevations from 100 - 1,700 metres[
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 20.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
The fruits are sold in local markets[
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
]. The report is unclear as to whether they are sold as a food or for their aromatic properties[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A resin obtained from the tree is used as an incense in churches[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The concept of this species has changed since reports of its use as an incense were made. It is possible that this use applies solely to a species that was formerly considered to be part of S. Argenteus[
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
].
The flowers are boiled with lime leaves and the water used as a perfume[
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
].
The fruits are sold in local markets[
628- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 84
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 1997
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes a treatment of the genus Styrax in Central America.
]. The report is unclear as to whether they are sold as a food or for their aromatic properties[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Propagation
Seed - To obtain viable seeds from this species the fruit should be exposed to lukewarm water or must be fermented in plastic bags for 4 - 7 days immediately after their removal from the tree. The seeds have an intermediate cold tolerance and can only be stored for a few weeks[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
