Texas Snowbells

(Styrax platanifolius ssp. texanus)

Date of Listing: Endangered, 1984

A close-up of Texas Snowbell flower.

© Photo courtesy Paul M. Montgomery

Texas snowbells is a shrub or small tree that grows out of crevices on steep limestone bluffs, rock ledges, or cliff faces along creeks. It can also grow in the dry gravels of streambeds. The big, round leaves are shiny and green on top but white and fuzzy underneath. The contrasting colors on the leaves make the plant appear to shimmer when the wind blows. The flowers are clustered at the end of the branch and hang upside down. The flowers dangle and look like small white bells, thus the name snowbells.

Note: Special thanks to the photographers for providing images of Texas endangered and threatened plants. All rights to these images are reserved. Educational use permitted.

Texas snowbells grows only in three counties in central Texas. Since it is readily eaten by deer, goats, and exotic ungulates, over-browsing is a serious threat to its survival. Young seedlings are often eaten by browsing animals or insects. Texas snowbells has been introduced at two places. Seeds were collected from known populations and grown at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. The seedlings were transplanted back into the wild, and a cage built around them to prevent damage by browsing animals. Today, the plants are several feet tall and producing flowers.

Size:

Shrub or small tree to 15 feet in height.

Habitat (where it lives):

Steep limestone bluffs, cliff faces, rock ledges, or gravel bars along rivers or streams.

Range (where found in Texas):

Western Edwards Plateau in Edwards, Real, and Val Verde Counties.

Reproduction:

White flowers with bright yellow-orange pistils and stamens, flowers bloom in April.

Population Numbers:

>Known from about 20 populations in Edwards, Real, and Val Verde Counties.