My uncle has some property down near San Antonio and he says he has located some Texas Snowbells. He mentions that they are getting to be quite rare and if I want some, I should come down and get some seed. I cannot find a whole lot of information on this plant? Anybody know about it?
Texas Snowbells?
Anniejo, who identified the snowbell? I only ask because there are two species of snowbell found in southcentral Texas. One is the Texas Snowbell, Styrax texana and the other is the Sycamore-leaf Snowbell, Styrax platanifolia. Both rare, as I understand. I know the Texas Snowbell is officially considered endangered, not sure about the other one. Here's a link on Texas Snowbell.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/snowbell/
I have no experience with propagating snowbells, but I have a book by Jill Nokes called How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest, which has a section on propagating native snowbells of Texas. Apparently, the seeds should be planted right after collecting them to give them the best chance of germinating...the seed tend to lose viability soon, somewhat like the Red Buckeye seed does. You can probably find a copy of the book at a public library or at the Wildflower Center in Austin (and the people working there could probably help you also). BTW, if you have difficulty finding the book, I'd be happy to scan the pages on this species and send that to you. I'll bet the Botanical Gardens in San Antonio would be happy to know about your uncle's snowbells. I believe that I heard about them being involved in a program in the past to propagate some of the rare snowbells and put them in protected areas on land where they'd be kept safe.
This message was edited Jan 16, 2008 11:24 AM
tried to post link but didn't work. sorry.
This message was edited Jan 16, 2008 10:49 AM
Anniejo, According to Michael Dirr's 'Manual of Woody Landscape Plants' there are several species of the genus. He does not list the 'Texana' or 'Platanifolia' but does list several cultivars of some of the species. His book says seeds have a very stubborn double dormancy. They require 5 months of warmth followed by 3 months of cold stratification. I assume these requirements apply to the genus as a whole. Fresh seed planted in the spring MAY germinate the following spring. Otherwise it will be the second spring after planting. This may explain the "short viability" question.
Now the good news. They root easily from softwood cuttings which is what we do here at our backyard nursery. I would love to be involved in trying to propagate these plants from softwood cuttings. Would it be possible for you to collect some softwood cuttings, keep them cool and damp, and bring them to our place for treatment with IBA and placement in our mist house?
Possibly your Uncle could let you know when the plants start to flush out with new growth and we could all make a field trip to S/A and cut and stick cuttings on the spot. I could have the IBA and rooting medium prepared ahead of time, then keep them misted till we get them to our place and put in the mist house.
Dirr lists the following species:
S. japonicus=Japanese Snowbell
S.americanus=American Snowbell
S. grandifolius=Bigleaf Snowbell
S. obassia=Fragrant Snowbell
I have no idea which species 'Texana' belongs to. Gene
I think you are not suppose to take cuttings of endangered species.
Annie, endangered species may be taken from private property without penalty.
Scroll down to the dialog box next to Section 10.
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/rareplants/conservation/lawsandregulations.shtml
bettydee, at the present time, I do not know the site of the Texas Snowbells plant. IF it turns out not to be private property (most of Texas is private property) do you know what the process is to request a permit? It should be easy if your intention is to increase it's numbers by propagation. Gene
anniejo, if I read your post correctly, the property in question belongs to your uncle. If so, there is no problem according to the link posted by bettydee. There are only a few counties in west TX where the plant is native and under protection and even there private property userps the prohibitions. Gene
That is good to know.
frostweed, since we propagate plants for sale, It has become habit with us to be very cautious re patents, botanical names, and protected plants. Indeed, the info provided by you and bettydee is very valuable to us. Our gratitude to you both, Gene & Ivy
Well, I guess I missed the part about being on private property, it makes sense that if it is yours you should be allowed to propagate it, and a good thing too, since endangered plants need help to survive.