Styrax

The Storaxbäume (Styrax) are a genus of plants, which consists of about 120-150 species of flowering. This makes them the largest genus in the family Storaxbaumgewächse (Styracaceae).

In Styrax species is achieved by both deciduous and evergreen small trees, sometimes shrubs that height 2-20 meters. The deciduous species often have large leaves, in some species up to 20 cm long. The simple, mostly alternate leaves are hairy or rarely smooth. Stipules are not available.

The inflorescences can be grapey or panicled or Zymo, rarely the flowers are in clusters or individually. The hermaphroditic, but somewhat flowers are often five parts. Their pure white, sometimes slightly reddish petals tend something together, so that the flowers are slightly bell-shaped. There are usually ten (8-13) stamens with yellow anthers available. The ovary is upper.

The fruits are drupes, which both mesocarp fleshy leathery-dry as can be. The fruits usually contain only one seed. , Species with winged seeds, most species have ribbed seeds and some species have smooth seeds.

Use
Some of the species have fragrant resin obtained by incising the bark. The most important among them is the Storaxbaum, which occurs almost in the entire area of the genus, and the resin is also known as Styrax or Storaxharz. This was used as a fumigant especially during religious ceremonies, as well as medicine and as a component of perfumes. Since 18 Century is most for those purposes but not sold Storaxharz of Storaxbaum, but from the smell very similar, but higher yielding sweet gum (Liquidambar).

Other major resin suppliers are the benzoic Storaxbaum and Siam Benzoeharzbaum whose resin called benzoin, and some Brazilian ways.

Some deciduous species, such as the Japanese Storaxbaum, the Obassia-Storaxbaum and again the Storaxbaum be due to its pretty flowers and leaves, and because they are not too great, even happy planted in gardens and parks.

Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storaxb%C3%A4ume
See Also: sending flowers, online florist