Flora of the Southeastern United States

Halesia tetraptera J. Ellis. Common name: Common Silverbell, Mountain Silverbell, Snowdrop Tree, Bell-tree, Opossumwood, Rattlebox, Calico-wood, Tisswood. Phenology: Mar-May; Aug-Sep. Habitat: Moist slopes, coves, creek-banks, bottomlands. Distribution: W. VA, s. WV, and s. IL, south to FL and s. MS (and cultivated elsewhere); disjunct in AR and OK.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Two varieties or species have sometimes been recognized (see synonymy): "monticola," a large tree, restricted to the Southern Appalachians (and especially the Great Smoky Mountains), the corolla (18-) 20-30 mm long, the style included, the anthers well inside the mouth of the corolla tube, and "tetraptera," a smaller tree more widely distributed, the corolla (12-) 15-20 mm long, the style slightly exserted, the anthers just within the mouth of the corolla tube. Most studies have judged them too intergradient to be practically delimited.

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Va; = Halesia carolina L. — F, G, RAB, W, WV; = Mohrodendron carolinum (L.) Britton — S13; = n/a — Tat; < Halesia carolina L. — FNA8, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NY, Pa, Tn, Fritsch & Lucas (2000); > Halesia carolina L. — S; > Halesia monticola (Rehder) Sarg. — S; > Halesia tetraptera J.Ellis var. monticola (Rehder) Reveal & Seldin — Reveal & Seldin (1976); > Halesia tetraptera J.Ellis var. tetraptera — Reveal & Seldin (1976). Basionym: Halesia tetraptera J.Ellis 1761

Links to other floras: < Halesia carolina - FNA8

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 2