| Common Silverbell is a shrub or small tree most common in the southwestern quarter of North Carolina. Two varieties of Halesia tetraptera exist, var. tetraptera (Common Silverbell), which is a shrub or small tree mostly found along streams in the Mountains and Piedmont, and Halesia tetraptera var. monticola (Mountain Silverbell), which is a large tree of cove forests in the higher Mountains. H. tetraptera is the only species of Halesia in NC; this species has been confused with H. carolina in older floras, such as Radford et al. Yadkin River section of Pilot Mountain State Park, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| The finely serrate leaves are paler and pubescent below. Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| McDowell Co., NC 4/16/2011.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Leaf undersides are white-fuzzy. Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Unripe fruits. The four-winged fruit, technically a drupe, is dry when ripe. Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Flower size also differs between the two varieties: var. tetraptera has smaller flowers (petals <2 cm long) with the style excerted; var. monticola has larger flowers (petals 2-3 cm long) with the style included. Franklin, Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.
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| Leaf detail. Franklin, Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.
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| Since Halesia is named for a Mr. Hales, it should be pronounced Heylz'-ee-ah, though Huh-lee'-zee-ah is more commonly heard. Franklin, Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.
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| Bark detail of a small tree. Franklin, Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.
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| Bark of a smaller stem. Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| McDowell Co., NC 4/16/2011.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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More information (most lump the two varieties, even though they are quite distinct):
Bioimages
NC State
USDA Silvics Manual (uses incorrect species name)
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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