Loropetalum

Taxobox
name = "Loropetalum"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = Loropetalum Chinense Rubrum
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Saxifragales
familia = Hamamelidaceae
genus = "Loropetalum"
genus_authority =
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Loropetalum chinense" "Loropetalum lanceum" "Loropetalum subcordatum"

"Loropetalum" is a genus of 3 species of shrub in the witch-hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, native to China, Japan, and south-eastern Asia.

The name "Loropetalum" refers to the shape of the flowers and comes from the Greek "loron" meaning strap and "petalon" meaning petal. Flowers are produced in clusters during spring and are similar to those of the closely related witch-hazel. Each flower consists of four to six (depending on species) slender strap shaped petals 1-2 cm long.

The species are:
*"Loropetalum chinense" - white-flowering variety up to 3.7 m tall, pink-flowering variety up to 1.5 m tall
*"Loropetalum lanceum" - up to 13 m tall, white flowers
*"Loropetalum subcordatum" - up to 12 m tall

References

* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=118978 Flora of china: Loropetalum]
* [http://www.smgrowers.com/info/loropetalum.asp San Marcos Growers: Loropetalum]