(Philadelphus coronarius L.)
Habitus
- it is a shrub 2 - 4 m high, densely branched, branches are straight
- the bark is brownish-grey, peeling in thin papery scales
Buds
- the buds are set opposite
- they are hidden, so only the protruding leaf cushion is visible on the branch !
Shoots
- shoots are weakly angular, brown to reddish brown
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- the leaves are simple, relatively variable - from lanceolate to broadly ovate, longer pointed at the end
- the margin is distantly toothed, in the lower third they are almost entirely marginal
- the leaves are 5 - 9 x 2.5 - 6 cm large, petiole is 6 - 8 mm long
Flowers
- the tree is monoecious, the flowers are bisexual, white, grouped into 5 - 10 numerous racemes
- it blooms in V - VI
- the flowers are strongly aromatic !
Fruits – seeds
- the fruit is an obovate capsule that splits into four lobes
Extension
- originally (probably) in the Mediterranean region (Northern Italy, Austria,...)
- it was cultivated by people since the 19th century (also in the Slovak countryside)
- in Slovakia, it occurs only as a cultivated species
Ecology
- it is a semi-shaded woody plant and requires fresh soils well supplied with nutrients
Significance
- it is an ornamental park woody plant, especially during the time of flowering
- many full-flowered varieties have been grown, but they are not aromatic
