Status:
valid
Authors:
Turcz.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1863
Citation Micro:
Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 36(II): 230 (1863)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000890200
Common Names
- Sweet pepperbush
- Summers sweet
- Virginia sweetspire
Description
Clethra suaveolens (also called Sweet pepperbush, among many other common names) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It typically grows in moist, acidic soils in open woodlands, swamps, and along the edges of streams and rivers. It has small, fragrant white flowers and can reach heights of up to 8 feet.
Uses & Benefits
Clethra suaveolens is used as an ornamental shrub in gardens and landscapes. It is also used as a food source for wildlife and as a soil stabilizer.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Clethra suaveolens has small, white to pinkish flowers in a dense spike. Its seeds are small, dark brown and oval-shaped. The seedlings are slender and have two long, narrow leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Clethra suaveolens is a low-growing, evergreen shrub native to China. It can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained, sandy soil mix and kept moist. Cuttings should be taken from semi-hardwood stems in late summer or early autumn and rooted in a light, sandy soil mix. Clethra suaveolens should be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil and is tolerant of salt spray.
Where to Find Clethra suaveolens
Clethra suaveolens is native to the Americas and can be found in wetland habitats.
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,