Carolina Silverbell tree – 5/6/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/6/23

Observation Time: 10:15 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Common Name: Carolina Silverbell tree

Scientific Name: Halesia carolina

Comments: Carolina silverbell is a vigorous, fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall by 10 m (33 ft) broad, bearing masses of pendent, bell-shaped white flowers which appear in spring. The flowers are followed by green, four-winged fruit. The leaves turn yellow in autumn.

Carolina silverbell grows mostly in the Piedmont and mountains of the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Its distribution extends beyond this central area, however, in small populations scattered over the southeastern Coastal Plain, western Virginia, West Virginia, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, central Arkansas, and southeastern Oklahoma. The species has been successfully cultivated as far north as southern New England, in California, and in Europe .

More Information: Wikipedia