Itea (plant)

Itea is a genus of about 10 species of shrubs and small trees. The leaves are alternate. Flowers are small, with 5 sepals and 5 petals, borne in racemes or spikes.

Itea
Itea ilicifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Iteaceae
Genus: Itea
L.
Type species
Itea virginica L.

They are native to eastern Asia, and with one deciduous species from eastern North America.

Some species are grown in ornamental gardens for their long pendant and fragrant flower heads. These include the evergreen I. ilicifolia and I. yunnanensis from central and western China. A different upright growing characteristic can be found in the deciduous I. virginica of eastern North America.

Species include:[1]

  • Itea chinensis Hook. & Arn.
  • Itea ilicifolia Oliv.
  • Itea japonica Oliv.
  • Itea oldhamii C. K. Schneid.
  • Itea parviflora Hemsl.
  • Itea virginica L. - Virginia sweetspire
  • Itea yunnanensis Franch.

References

  1. "GRIN Species Records of Itea". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area. Archived from the original on 13 December 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  • European Garden Flora, vol. 4.
  • Hillier; Manual of Trees and Shrubs.


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