Styrax tonkinensis
(Pierre) Craib ex Hartwich
Styracaceae
Anthostyrax tonkinensis Pierre
Styrax hypoglaucus Perkins
Styrax macrothyrsus Perkins
Styrax subniveus Merr. & Chun
Common Name: Siam Benzoin
General Information
Styrax tonkinensis is a semi-deciduous tree with a dense crown, especially in young trees; it cn grow 6 - 30 metres tall. The bole can be free of branches for up to 20 metres and is 8 - 60cm in diameter[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The tree is valued, especially in China and the highlands of Laos, for the gum resin obtained from its trunk, which is a commercial source of benzoin, a resin mainly obtained from Styrax benzoin and with a range of medicinal and other uses[
2210- Title
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bensky D., Clavey S. & Stöger E.
- Publisher
- Eastland Press Inc; Seattle, USA
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
- 0-939616-4-24
- Description
-
,
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. It is also valued in Vietnam where it is a commercial source of pulpwood. The plant has also been planted in soil restoration and, reforestation schemes in several other regions of the tropics.
Styrax tonkinensis 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
None known
Botanical References
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
623- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 90
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0026-6493
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Styrax, amongst many other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Southeast Asia - southern China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand.
Habitat
Mixed forests[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Open forests on mountain slopes, and along the edges of mixed forests in relatively disturbed sites at elevations from 30 - 2,400 metres[
623- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 90
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0026-6493
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Styrax, amongst many other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. A relatively common component of primary and secondary forests[
623- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 90
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0026-6493
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Styrax, amongst many other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Edibility Rating |      |
Medicinal Rating |      |
Other Uses Rating |      |
Habit | Semi-deciduous Tree |
Height | 20.00 m |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the subtropics to tropics, where it is found at elevations from 30 - 2,400 metres[
623- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 90
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0026-6493
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Styrax, amongst many other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is found in areas where the mean annual temperature is in the range 15 - 26°c, though it can survive occasional, short-lived, extreme temperatures as low as -4°c and as high as 45°c[
]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,200mm, though it can tolerate as little as 1,300mm in cultivation[
]. It grows in areas with no distinct dry season, or only a short dry season[
].
Requires a sunny position[
].
Styrax tonkinensis is fast growing and under favourable conditions can attain annual height increments of 3 metres during the first three years pf growth[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. A mean height of 18 - 25 metres, with stems 20 - 24cm in diameter, are obtainable at 10 years. Such growth would give a wood yield of about 150 cubic metres per hectare based on final stand densities of approximately 600 - 800 stems per hectare[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Trees are tapped for their resin from the age of about 6 - 7 years. Tapping continues for 3 - 4 years, or until production declines[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Trees have a shallow rooting system[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Edible Uses
A balsamic resin obtained from the trunk is used by the food industry for flavouring a range of products including ice cream, baked goods, chocolate glaze and various beverages[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
Medicinal
The benzoin resin obtained from the trunk is antiseptic[
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.
]. It is used in modern pharmaceuticals as an inhalant with steam for the relief of cough, laryngitis, bronchitis and upper respiratory tract disorders or as a mild antiseptic[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The resin is commonly used in traditional medicine in China where it is an ingredient in several prescribed formulae. It is said to open the orifices, awaken the spiirit to restore consciousness, invigorate the qi and blood, and stop pain in the chest and abdomen. It is used to treat rheumatism, coughs, colds, stomach ache and heart burn: it has also been used in the treatment of apoplexy, dizziness, convulsions and glycosuria[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
2210- Title
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bensky D., Clavey S. & Stöger E.
- Publisher
- Eastland Press Inc; Seattle, USA
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
- 0-939616-4-24
- Description
-
].
It is made into tinctures and balsams and is used topically to heal wounds[
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 resin is also used in 'Purol', a well known antibacterial powder used to freshen and soothe dry skin and ameliorate skin allergies[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
A rose and benzoin combination is a pleasant, soothing scent, comforting and warming[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]
The resin is very similar to that obtained from Styrax benzoin, and can be used in similar ways[
2261- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of Taxa in Styrax Series Cyrta (Styracaceae) with Valvate Corollas
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 12(2): 579 - 641. 2018
- Author
- Li G. & Fritsch P.W.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Agroforestry Uses:
A light-demanding, pioneer species in its native range where it can quickly invade gaps in the forest[
]. If conditions are favourable, it often occurs in the upper storey and can occupy many hectares as almost pure stands[
].
It has been introduced to China, Java and French Guinea in west Africa, where it is used to restore eroded soils and provide green fire belts[
].
Other Uses
A benzoin resin is tapped from the trunk[
]. The resin, known commercially as 'Siam benzoin', is of high quality and suitable for use by the perfume industry. It is characterized by its content of benzoic acid (10 - 12%), coniferyl benzoate (65 - 70%) and more than 20 other aromatic esters. Benzoin resin absolute is thick, brownish-yellow oil with a sweet, balsamic odour and a hint of vanilla. Benzoin is used in the manufacture of fragrances which are then compounded and employed in a wide range of end-products which includes personal health care products such as
toilet soap, shampoo, body lotion and cream, bath oil, aerosol and talcum powder, and household and other products
such as liquid soap, air freshener, fabric softener, washing detergent and other cleaning agents[
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.
,
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The resin is also used as an incense[
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 resin is obtained from incisions made in the bark. It takes about eight weeks before the exuding white-coloured resin becomes firm enough to collect[
2210- Title
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bensky D., Clavey S. & Stöger E.
- Publisher
- Eastland Press Inc; Seattle, USA
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
- 0-939616-4-24
- Description
-
].
The wood is light and soft. It is not suitable for construction, but is used to make wooden shoes, pencils, chopsticks, toothpicks and matches[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
]. An important pulpwood species in Vietnam, yield and quality of the pulp is comparable with many commercial pulpwood species[
].
The wood is used for fuel[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Propagation
Seed - it soon loses its viability if it is allowed to dry out, but can be stored for at least a year at 20°c if it is kept moist[
]. Fresh seed needs a period of after-ripening or it will take several months to germinate. This is done by placing the fruits in 30 - 40cm deep layers in trays in the shade for 5 - 6 days and turning them over daily to provide aeration[
]. When the pericarp turns yellow or grey, the seeds are extracted and then dried in the shade for 4 - 5 days[
]. Sow the seed in 50% shade and germination should take 2 - 5 weeks[
]. Grown the plants on in 70% light and plant out when 25 - 50cm tall, which usually takes about 3 - 7 months[
].