SafePlants

Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)

The Carolina silverbell is a beautiful flowering tree native to the Southeastern United States, prized for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in spring.

Considerations for Pets

• Carolina silverbell produces seed pods that may be of interest to pets.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Halesia carolina
• Common Names: Carolina silverbell, little silverbell, mountain silverbell, snowdrop tree, opossum wood
• Family: Styracaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Ericales
• Synonyms: Halesia tetraptera (formerly H. carolina), Halesia monticola
• Note: There has been taxonomic debate regarding the classification of Halesia carolina and Halesia tetraptera. Some sources consider them synonymous, while others recognize them as distinct species.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the Southeastern United States.
• Common and reaches its greatest size in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
• Grows as an understory tree along streams.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Deciduous tree, sometimes growing as a large shrub.
• Typically grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet, with a spread of 25 to 30 feet.
• May have a rounded, pyramidal, or vase-shaped habit.
• Can be single or multi-trunked with low, ascending branching.
• Leaves are elliptic, up to 7 inches long, and finely toothed.
• Flowers are bell-shaped, white or pinkish, and droop gracefully along the undersides of twiggy branches.
• Produces brown, winged fruits.
• Grows at a medium rate.

Ecological Role

• Grows as an understory tree in its native habitat.

Other Notable Characteristics

• Hardy to zone 5 (UK).
• Showy display of bell-shaped white flowers in April.
• Decorative seed pods in fall.

Further Information

• Flora of North America (FNA).
• Dave's Garden.
• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).
• Bioimages.