The Styracaceae (Silverbells) family consists of eleven genera and 130 species including mainly of shrubs and small trees, inhabiting subtropical and tropical areas. Styrax species are distributed around the world, both Asia and America.

Styrax officinalis is a perennial, deciduous shrub species in the family Styracaceae. Plant is native to Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor (Italy, Albenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Crete, Rodes, Cyprus, Turkiye, Syrie, Lebanon, Israel). In Turkiye it is known at South Marmara, Blacksea Region, Ege Region, Antalya, Adana and around Euphrates. It is found at rocky slopes, river margins, open woods and thickets as high as 1500 m elevation from seashore. Although there are some American subspecies: Styrax officinalis var. californicus, Styrax officinalis var. fulvescens, Styrax officinalis var. jaliscanus, Styrax officinalis subsp. redivivus recent molecular analysis has suggested that they may be diverged to the point of being separate species.

Genus’s name Sytrax is derived from the Arabic name ‘assthirak’ for these resin producing plants, especially Sytrax officinalis. The specific epithet ‘officinalis’ derived from ‘opificina’ comes from a medieval laboratory workshop: as a plant usable in pharmaceuticals, herbal medicine, liqueurs, perfumery and the like.

Snowbell Bush is a deciduous shrub with white spring blooms, that look like snowdrops. It is used in its natural state for food, medicine or other uses. The plant reaches a height of 2–5 meters. Deciduous, elliptical leaves are 5–10 cm long and 3–6 cm wide, alternate and widely spaced on thin, reddish stems, with a tight, dark bark on basal stems. Sytrax officinalis is a hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) plant. 3-8 flowers at the branch ends, appear from April to June. Bell-shaped, pendulous, white and fragrant flowers are 2 cm long. The corolla has 5–8 petals and many yellow anthers, the calyx is 5-lobed. Oblong-shaped fruits mature in late summer.

Snowbell Bush is not particular about soil, but prefers well drained, moist soil.  It loves semi-shaded environment but can be exposed to the sun. It is as hardy as -15 ˚C but may suffers from winter winds. Plant does not need a lot of water. Propagation is done by seed or cuttings. Cold stratification is advised for seed production. Cuttings may be done by half-ripe wood at mid-summer.

Sytrax officinalis is a plant known since ancient times as one of the sources of the ‘storax’. The fragrant resin called storax is obtained by wounding the stem, it is antiseptic and expectorant. This, being scented, is mainly used in medicine, in cosmetics, in the production of incense and, to a lesser extent, in the food sector.

Use in Landscape: Snowbell Bush is a beautiful rounded, flowering shrub. It can be used as a specimen or mixed border plant. It is also a good choice for woodland gardens.