Status:
valid
Authors:
Kuntze
Source:
wcs
Year:
1891
Citation Micro:
Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 389 (1891)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000889627
Common Names
- Western Sweet Pepperbush
- Western Clethra
- White Alder
Description
Clethra occidentalis (also called Western sweet pepperbush, among many other common names) is a perennial shrub native to North America. It grows in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and coastal areas.
Uses & Benefits
Clethra occidentalis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used as a hedge plant and for erosion control on slopes. The plant has fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Clethra occidentalis has small white flowers that grow in clusters, with each flower having four petals. The seeds are small, black, and oval-shaped. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with two leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Clethra occidentalis is a species of plant in the family Clethraceae. It is native to Central and South America. It is a shrub, growing up to 2 m tall. It is found in moist habitats, such as wet meadows, swamps, and marshes. It can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Where to Find Clethra occidentalis
Clethra occidentalis can be found in the western United States.
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,