Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 8,
Names
Styrax americanus Lamarck [family STYRACACEAE], in J. Lamarck et al., Encycl., 1: 82. 1783 (as americana) ,
Styrax americanus var. pulverulentus (Michaux) Rehder [family STYRACACEAE]
Styrax pulverulentus Michaux [family STYRACACEAE]
Discussion
Styrax grandifolius is partly sympatric with S. americanus, and molecular data indicate that it is a close relative (P. W. Fritsch 2001). The two species are separated ecologically, with S. americanus occupying lower, moister sites (G. J. Gonsoulin 1974). Hybridization between the two is not apparent.
Some authors have recognized plants with more densely pubescent new shoots, leaves, and inflorescences and shorter pedicels as a distinct taxon, at either the specific or infraspecific level (J. K. Small 1933; A. J. Rehder 1940; G. J. Gonsoulin 1974). The most densely pubescent plants occur in the southernmost portion of the range of the species; intermediates between the two extremes are abundant. The character differences that separate the taxa are here considered taxonomically inconsequential.