Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 396 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000887989
Common Names
- Alder-leaved Sweet Pepperbush
- Alder-leaved Clethra
- Alder-leaved Summersweet
Description
Clethra alnifolia (also called Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush, and Coastal Sweet Pepperbush, among many other common names) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It grows up to 3m tall, with fragrant white flowers in summer. It is found in moist woodlands, swamps, and along streams.
Uses & Benefits
Clethra alnifolia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks, and is also used for soil stabilization and erosion control. It is also used as a medicinal plant for treating various ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Clethra alnifolia has small, white flowers, and its seeds are small and brown. The seedlings are small and have thin, grass-like leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Clethra alnifolia is a deciduous shrub that can be grown from seed or cuttings. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of drought and salt levels. It can be pruned to shape and can be used as a specimen plant or in a shrub border.
Where to Find Clethra alnifolia
Clethra alnifolia is native to North America and can be found in moist woodlands and along streams.
Species in the Clethra genus
Clethra formosa,
Clethra tuxtlensis,
Clethra purpusii,
Clethra fragrans,
Clethra acuminata,
Clethra alcoceri,
Clethra alexandri,
Clethra alnifolia,
Clethra arborea,
Clethra arfakana,
Clethra barbinervis,
Clethra bodinieri,
Clethra canescens,
Clethra cardenasii,
Clethra castaneifolia,
Clethra chiapensis,
Clethra consimilis,
Clethra conzattiana,
Clethra crispa,
Clethra cubensis,
Clethra cuneata,
Clethra delavayi,
Clethra elongata,
Clethra fabri,
Clethra fagifolia,
Clethra fargesii,
Clethra ferruginea,
Clethra fimbriata,
Clethra galeottiana,
Clethra gelida,
Clethra guyanensis,
Clethra hartwegii,
Clethra hendersonii,
Clethra hondurensis,
Clethra javanica,
Clethra kaipoensis,
Clethra kebarensis,
Clethra licanioides,
Clethra longispicata,
Clethra luzmariae,
Clethra macrophylla,
Clethra mexicana,
Clethra oaxacana,
Clethra obovata,
Clethra occidentalis,
Clethra oleoides,
Clethra ovalifolia,
Clethra pachecoana,
Clethra pachyphylla,
Clethra papuana,
Species in the Clethraceae family
Clethra formosa,
Clethra tuxtlensis,
Clethra purpusii,
Clethra fragrans,
Clethra acuminata,
Clethra alcoceri,
Clethra alexandri,
Clethra alnifolia,
Clethra arborea,
Clethra arfakana,
Clethra barbinervis,
Clethra bodinieri,
Clethra canescens,
Clethra cardenasii,
Clethra castaneifolia,
Clethra chiapensis,
Clethra consimilis,
Clethra conzattiana,
Clethra crispa,
Clethra cubensis,
Clethra cuneata,
Clethra delavayi,
Clethra elongata,
Clethra fabri,
Clethra fagifolia,
Clethra fargesii,
Clethra ferruginea,
Clethra fimbriata,
Clethra galeottiana,
Clethra gelida,
Clethra guyanensis,
Clethra hartwegii,
Clethra hendersonii,
Clethra hondurensis,
Clethra javanica,
Clethra kaipoensis,
Clethra kebarensis,
Clethra licanioides,
Clethra longispicata,
Clethra luzmariae,
Clethra macrophylla,
Clethra mexicana,
Clethra oaxacana,
Clethra obovata,
Clethra occidentalis,
Clethra oleoides,
Clethra ovalifolia,
Clethra pachecoana,
Clethra pachyphylla,
Clethra papuana,