Itea Linnaeus. Common name: Virginia-willow, Sweetspire, Tassel-white.
A genus of about 27 species, shrubs and trees, all but 2 (ours and 1 in sub-Saharan Africa) are in e. and se. Asia. The closest relative of our species is I. japonica Oliver, of Japan. Variously treated in a very broadly-conceived Saxifragaceae (RAB, F, G, GW, W), a less comprehensive Grossulariaceae (C, K), a narrow Escalloniaceae, or a very narrow (single genus) Iteaceae (S), the relationships of Itea remain problematic. Recent molecular data suggest that the relationship between Itea and other woody “saxifragaceous” genera (including Escallonia) is only distant (Morgan & Soltis 1993). Itea is here conservatively treated in a narrow Iteaceae.
ID notes: Sometimes confused needlessly with Clethra, whose much more coarsely serrate, obovate leaves contrast with the serrulate, elliptic leaves of Itea. Also often confused with Eubotrys racemosus in vegetative condition.
References: Bohm et al. (1999); Kubitzki, Bayer, & Stevens (2007); Morgan & Soltis (1993); Morin (2009a) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2009); Spongberg (1972). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Gary P. Fleming | Itea virginica | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware | Itea virginica CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Itea virginica | Original Image ⭷Feedback
See something missing or incorrect about Itea? Let us know here:
- Please include your name and if possible, email in case when need to clarify what you wrote.
- If you opt out of including email, please be as specific as possible (e.g., which photo is incorrect?)
- Please do not submit questions asking to identify plants or about horticultural topics (e.g., how do I control an invasive plant in my garden?). Instead, those questions can be submitted here for the Carolinas region only.
- Please do not send us feedback about unkeyed species as this work is ongoing.
- Please allow time for flora edits to show in our next data release. We greatly appreciate your feedback but may require extra time to research complicated taxonomic issues.