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{{Short description|Genus of plants}}
{{other uses}}
{{Other uses}}
{{for|Pamphilia, the speaker of Lady Mary Wroth's sonnet sequence|Pamphilia to Amphilanthus}}
{{For|Pamphilia, the speaker of Lady Mary Wroth's sonnet sequence|Pamphilia to Amphilanthus}}
{{italic title}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Pamphilia|Pamphylia}}
{{taxobox
{{Automatic taxobox
|name = ''Styrax'' (snowbell)
|image = Styrax platanifolius.jpg
|image = Styrax platanifolius.jpg
|image_caption = ''[[Styrax platanifolius]]''
|image_caption = ''[[Styrax platanifolius]]''
|taxon = Styrax
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
⚫
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
⚫
|subdivision_ranks = Species
|unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]
|unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]]
|ordo = [[Ericales]]
|familia = [[Styracaceae]]
|genus = '''''Styrax'''''
⚫
|genus_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
⚫
|subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
|subdivision = About 130, see text
|subdivision = About 130, see text
|synonyms = ''Pamphilia'' <small>Mart. ex A. DC.{{Verify source|date=December 2007}}</small>
|synonyms = ''Pamphilia'' <small>Mart. ex A. DC.{{Verify source|date=December 2007}}</small>
|}}
}}


'''Storax''' or '''snowbell'''<ref>{{PLANTS|id=STYRA|taxon=Styrax|accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref> is the common names of '''''Styrax'''''<!-- <ref>[[Etymology]]: [[Ancient Greek]] ''styrax'' (στυραξ), the spike at the butt-end of a spear such as a [[xyston]] or a [[sarissa]].</ref> [are these thorny or spiny?] -->, a [[genus]] of about 130 [[species]] of large [[shrub]]s or small [[tree]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] Styracaceae, mostly [[native plant|native]] to warm [[temperateness|temperate]] to [[tropical]] regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America.<ref name=fritsch>Fritsch ''et al.'' (2001)</ref> The resin obtained from the tree is called '''storax''' or '''[[Benzoin (resin)|benzoin]]''' (not to be confused with the ''[[Liquidambar]]'' [[storax balsam|storax]] balsam).
'''''Styrax'''''<!-- <ref>[[Etymology]]: [[Ancient Greek]] ''styrax'' (στυραξ), the spike at the butt-end of a spear such as a [[xyston]] or a [[sarissa]].</ref> [are these thorny or spiny?] --> (common names '''storax''' or '''snowbell'''<ref>{{PLANTS|id=STYRA|taxon=Styrax|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref>) is a [[genus]] of about 130 [[species]] of large [[shrub]]s or small [[tree]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] Styracaceae, mostly [[native plant|native]] to warm [[temperateness|temperate]] to [[tropical]] regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America.<ref name=fritsch>Fritsch ''et al.'' (2001)</ref> The resin obtained from the tree is called [[Benzoin (resin)|benzoin]] or storax (not to be confused with the ''[[Liquidambar]]'' [[storax balsam]]).


The genus ''Pamphilia'', sometimes regarded as distinct, is now included within ''Styrax'' based on analysis of [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] and [[DNA sequence]] data.<ref>Wallnöfer (1997), Fritsch ''et al.'' (2001)</ref> The [[Lindera benzoin|spicebush]] (''Lindera benzoin'') is a different plant, in the family [[Lauraceae]].
The genus ''Pamphilia'', sometimes regarded as distinct, is now included within ''Styrax'' based on analysis of [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] and [[DNA sequence]] data.<ref>Wallnöfer (1997), Fritsch ''et al.'' (2001)</ref> The [[Lindera benzoin|spicebush]] (''Lindera benzoin'') is a different plant, in the family [[Lauraceae]].


Storax trees grow to 2–14&nbsp;m tall, and have alternate, [[deciduous]] or [[evergreen]] simple ovate [[leaf|leaves]] 1–18&nbsp;cm long and 2–10&nbsp;cm broad. The [[flower]]s are pendulous, with a white 5–10-lobed [[corolla (flower)|corolla]], produced 3–30 together on open or dense [[panicle]]s 5–25&nbsp;cm long. The [[fruit]] is an oblong dry [[drupe]], smooth and lacking ribs or narrow wings, unlike the fruit of the related snowdrop trees (''[[Halesia]]'') and epaulette trees (''[[Pterostyrax]]'').
Styrax trees grow to 2–14&nbsp;m tall, and have alternate, [[deciduous]] or [[evergreen]] simple ovate [[leaf|leaves]] 1–18&nbsp;cm long and 2–10&nbsp;cm broad. The [[flower]]s are pendulous, with a white 5–10-lobed [[corolla (flower)|corolla]], produced 3–30 together on open or dense [[panicle]]s 5–25&nbsp;cm long. The [[fruit]] is an oblong dry [[drupe]], smooth and lacking ribs or narrow wings, unlike the fruit of the related snowdrop trees (''[[Halesia]]'') and epaulette trees (''[[Pterostyrax]]'').


==Uses==
==Uses==


===Uses of resin===
===Uses of resin===
[[Benzoin resin]], a dried exudation from pierced [[bark]], is currently produced from various ''Styrax'' species native to [[Sumatra]], [[Java (island)|Java]], and [[Thailand]]. Commonly traded are the resins of ''[[Styrax tonkinensis|S. tonkinensis]]'' ([[Siam benzoin]]), ''[[Styrax benzoin|S. benzoin]]'' ([[Sumatra benzoin]]), and ''[[Styrax benzoides|S. benzoides]]''. The name "benzoin" is probably derived from [[Arabic language|Arabic]] ''lubān jāwī'' (لبان جاوي, "Javan [[frankincense]]"); compare the obsolete terms "gum benjamin" and "benjoin". This incidentally shows that the Arabs were aware of the origin of these resins, and that by the late [[Middle Ages]] at latest international trade in them was probably of major importance.
[[Benzoin resin]], a dried exudation from pierced [[bark (botany)|bark]], is currently produced from various ''Styrax'' species native to [[Sumatra]], [[Java (island)|Java]], and [[Thailand]]. Commonly traded are the resins of ''S. tonkinensis'' (Siam benzoin), ''[[Styrax benzoin|S. benzoin]]'' (Sumatra benzoin), and ''S. benzoides''. The name ''benzoin'' is probably derived from [[Arabic language|Arabic]] ''lubān jāwī'' (لبان جاوي, "Javan [[frankincense]]); compare the obsolete terms ''gum benjamin'' and ''benjoin''. This incidentally shows that the Arabs were aware of the origin of these resins, and that by the late [[Middle Ages]] at latest international trade in them was probably of major importance.


The chemical [[benzoin]] (2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone), despite the apparent similarity of the name, is not contained in benzoin resin in measurable quantities. However, benzoin resin does contain small amounts of the [[hydrocarbon]] [[styrene]], named however for Levant storax (from ''[[Liquidambar orientalis]]),'' from which it was first isolated, and not for the genus ''Styrax'' itself; industrially produced styrene is now used to produce [[polystyrene]] [[plastic]]s, including [[Styrofoam]]<sup>TM</sup>.
The chemical [[Benzoin (organic compound)|benzoin]] (2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone), despite the apparent similarity of the name, is not contained in benzoin resin in measurable quantities. However, benzoin resin does contain small amounts of the [[hydrocarbon]] [[styrene]], named however for Levant storax (from ''[[Liquidambar orientalis]]),'' from which it was first isolated, and not for the genus ''Styrax'' itself; industrially produced styrene is now used to produce [[polystyrene]] [[plastic]]s, including [[Styrofoam]].


====History of sources====
====History of sources====
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Since [[ancient history|Antiquity]], storax resin has been used in [[perfume]]s, certain types of [[incense]], and [[medicine]]s.
Since [[ancient history|Antiquity]], storax resin has been used in [[perfume]]s, certain types of [[incense]], and [[medicine]]s.


There is some degree of uncertainty as to exactly what resin old sources refer to. [[Liquidambar orientalis|Turkish sweetgum]] (''Liquidambar orientalis'') is a quite unrelated tree in the family [[Altingiaceae]] that produces a similar resin traded in modern times as '''[[storax]]''' or as "Levant storax," like the resins of other [[Liquidambar|sweetgums]], and a number of confusing variations thereupon. Turkish sweetgum is a [[relict]] species that occurs only in a small area in SW [[Turkey]] (and not in the [[Levant]] at all); presumably, quite some of the "storax resin" of the [[Ancient Greek]] and the [[Ancient Roman]] sources was from this sweetgum, rather than a ''Styrax,'' although at least during the former era genuine ''Styrax'' resin, probably from ''[[Styrax officinalis|S. officinalis]],'' was imported in quantity from the [[Near East]] by [[Phoenicia]]n merchants, and [[Herodotus of Halicarnassus]] in the 5th century BC indicates that different kinds of "storax" were traded.<ref>Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) III.107.2</ref>
There is some degree of uncertainty as to exactly what resin old sources refer to. [[Liquidambar orientalis|Turkish sweetgum]] (''Liquidambar orientalis'') is a quite unrelated tree in the family [[Altingiaceae]] that produces a similar resin traded in modern times as ''[[storax]]'' or as ''Levant storax'', like the resins of other [[Liquidambar|sweetgums]], and a number of confusing variations thereupon. Turkish sweetgum is a [[Relict (biology)|relict]] species that occurs only in a small area in SW [[Turkey]] (and not in the [[Levant]] at all); presumably, quite some of the "storax resin" of the [[Ancient Greek]] and the [[Ancient Roman]] sources was from this sweetgum, rather than a ''Styrax,'' although at least during the former era genuine ''Styrax'' resin, probably from ''[[Styrax officinalis|S. officinalis]],'' was imported in quantity from the [[Near East]] by [[Phoenicia]]n merchants, and [[Herodotus of Halicarnassus]] in the 5th century BC indicates that different kinds of storax were traded.<ref>Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) III.107.2</ref>


The ''nataf'' (נטף) of the incense sacred to [[Yahweh]], mentioned in the [[Book of Exodus]], is loosely translated by the [[Greek language|Greek]] term ''[[Stacte|staktē]]'' (στακτή, [[Amplified Bible|AMP]]: {{bibleverse||Exodus|30:34|45}}), or an unspecific "gum resin" or similar term ([[New International Version|NIV]]: {{bibleverse||Exodus|30:34|31}}). ''Nataf'' may have meant the resin of ''Styrax officinalis'' or of some other plant, perhaps Turkish sweetgum, which is unlikely to have been imported in quantity into the [[Near East]].
The ''nataf'' (נטף) of the incense sacred to [[Yahweh]], mentioned in the [[Book of Exodus]], is loosely translated by the [[Greek language|Greek]] term ''[[Stacte|staktē]]'' (στακτή, [[Amplified Bible|AMP]]: {{bibleverse||Exodus|30:34|45}}), or an unspecific "gum resin" or similar term ([[New International Version|NIV]]: {{bibleverse||Exodus|30:34|31}}). ''Nataf'' may have meant the resin of ''Styrax officinalis'' or of some other plant, perhaps Turkish sweetgum, which is unlikely to have been imported in quantity into the [[Near East]].
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====Use as incense====
====Use as incense====
Storax incense is used in the [[Middle East]] and adjacent regions as an [[air freshener]]. This was adopted in the European ''[[Papier d'Arménie]]''. Though highly toxic [[benzene]] and [[formaldehyde]] are produced when burning ''Styrax'' incense (as with almost all organic substances), the amounts produced by burning a strip of ''Papier d'Arménie'' every 2–3 days are less than those achieved by many synthetic air fresheners. Storax resin from southern [[Arabia]]n species was burned during [[frankincense]] (''[[Boswellia]]'' resin) harvesting; it was said to drive away snakes:
Storax incense is used in the [[Middle East]] and adjacent regions as an [[air freshener]]. This was adopted in the European ''[[Papier d'Arménie]]''. Storax resin from southern [[Arabia]]n species was burned during [[frankincense]] (''[[Boswellia]]'' resin) harvesting; it was said to drive away snakes:
<blockquote>"[The Arabians] gather frankincense by burning that ''storax'' which Phoenicians carry to Hellas; they burn this and so get the frankincense; for the spice-bearing trees are guarded by small winged snakes of varied color, many around each tree; these are the snakes that attack Egypt.<ref>Although Herodotus saw bones of many of "these [...] snakes", their having wings is hearsay information and either incorrect or refers to some kind of [[Agama (lizard)|agama]] with neck or body ornaments. See Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) II.75.1-4.</ref> Nothing except the smoke of ''storax'' will drive them away from the trees."<ref>Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) III.107.2: <blockquote>''ton men ge libanôton sullegousi tên '''sturaka''' thumiôntes, tên es Hellênas Phoinikes exagousi: tautên thumiôntes lambanousi: ta gar dendrea tauta ta libanôtophora ophies hupopteroi, mikroi ta megathea, poikiloi ta eidea, phulassousi plêtheï polloi peri dendron hekaston, houtoi hoi per ep' Aigupton epistrateuontai, oudeni de allôi apelaunontai apo tôn dendreôn ê tês '''sturakos''' tôi kapnôi.''</blockquote></ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>"[The Arabians] gather frankincense by burning that ''storax'' which Phoenicians carry to Hellas; they burn this and so get the frankincense; for the spice-bearing trees are guarded by small winged snakes of varied color, many around each tree; these are the snakes that attack Egypt.<ref>Although Herodotus saw bones of many of "these [...] snakes", their having wings is hearsay information and either incorrect or refers to some kind of [[Agama (lizard)|agama]] with neck or body ornaments. See Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) II.75.1-4.</ref> Nothing except the smoke of ''storax'' will drive them away from the trees."<ref>Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) III.107.2: <blockquote>''ton men ge libanôton sullegousi tên '''sturaka''' thumiôntes, tên es Hellênas Phoinikes exagousi: tautên thumiôntes lambanousi: ta gar dendrea tauta ta libanôtophora ophies hupopteroi, mikroi ta megathea, poikiloi ta eidea, phulassousi plêtheï polloi peri dendron hekaston, houtoi hoi per ep' Aigupton epistrateuontai, oudeni de allôi apelaunontai apo tôn dendreôn ê tês '''sturakos''' tôi kapnôi.''</blockquote></ref></blockquote>


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====Medical uses====
====Medical uses====
There has been little dedicated research into the medical properties of storax resin, but it has been used for long, and apparently with favorable results. It was important in [[Islamic medicine]]; [[Avicenna]] (Ibn Seena, ابن سینا) discusses ''[[Styrax officinalis|S. officinalis]]'' it in his ''Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb'' (القانون في الطب, ''[[The Law of Medicine]]''). He indicates that storax resin mixed with other antibiotic substances and hardening material gives a good [[dental restorative material]]. Benzoin resin is a component of the "Theriaca Andromachi Senioris", a [[Venice treacle]] recipe in the 1686 ''d'Amsterdammer Apotheek''.
There has been little dedicated research into the medical properties of storax resin, but it has been used for long, and apparently with favorable results. It was important in [[Islamic medicine]]; [[Avicenna]] (Ibn Sina, ابن سینا) discusses ''[[Styrax officinalis|S. officinalis]]'' it in his ''Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb'' (القانون في الطب, ''[[The Law of Medicine]]''). He indicates that storax resin mixed with other antibiotic substances and hardening material gives a good [[dental restorative material]]. Benzoin resin is a component of the "Theriaca Andromachi Senioris", a [[Venice treacle]] recipe in the 1686 ''d'Amsterdammer Apotheek''.


[[Tincture of benzoin]] is benzoin resin dissolved in [[alcohol]]. This and its numerous derived versions like ''lait virginal'' and friar's balsam were highly esteemed in 19th-century European [[cosmetics]] and other household purposes; they apparently had [[antibacterial]] properties. Today tincture of benzoin is most often used in [[first aid]] for small injuries, as it acts as a [[disinfectant]] and local [[anesthetic]] and seems to promote healing. Benzoin resin and its derivatives are also used as [[List of additives in cigarettes|additives in cigarettes]].
[[Tincture of benzoin]] is benzoin resin dissolved in [[ethanol|alcohol]]. This and its numerous derived versions like ''lait virginal'' and friar's balsam were highly esteemed in 19th-century European [[cosmetics]] and other household purposes; they apparently had [[antibacterial]] properties. Today tincture of benzoin is most often used in [[first aid]] for small injuries, as it acts as a [[disinfectant]] and local [[anesthetic]] and seems to promote healing. Benzoin resin and its derivatives are also used as [[List of additives in cigarettes|additives in cigarettes]].


The antibiotic activity of benzoin resin seems mostly due to its abundant [[benzoic acid]] and benzoic acid [[ester]]s, which were named after the resin; other less well known [[secondary compound]]s such as lignans like [[pinoresinol]] are likely significant too.<ref>Pastrorova ''et al.'' (1997)</ref>
The antibiotic activity of benzoin resin seems mostly due to its abundant [[benzoic acid]] and benzoic acid [[ester]]s, which were named after the resin; other less well known [[secondary compound]]s such as lignans like [[pinoresinol]] are likely significant too.<ref>Pastrorova ''et al.'' (1997)</ref>
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===Horticultural uses===
===Horticultural uses===
[[Image:Styrax japonica1.JPG|thumb|right|Early summer blossoms of ''[[Styrax japonicus]]'']]
[[Image:Styrax japonica1.JPG|thumb|right|Early summer blossoms of ''[[Styrax japonicus]]'']]
Several species of storax are popular [[ornamental tree]]s in parks and gardens, especially ''[[Styrax japonicus|S. japonicus]]'' and its cultivars like 'Emerald Pagoda', and ''[[Styrax obassia]]''.
Several species of storax are popular [[ornamental tree]]s in parks and gardens, especially ''S. japonicus'' and its cultivars such as 'Emerald Pagoda', and ''[[Styrax obassia]]''.


===Uses of wood===
===Uses of wood===
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==Ecology and conservation==
==Ecology and conservation==
The resin of ''Styrax'' acts to kill wound [[plant pathogen|pathogen]]s and deter [[herbivores]]. Consequently, for example, few [[Lepidoptera]] [[caterpillar]]s eat storax compared to other plants. Those of the [[two-barred flasher]] (''Astraptes fulgerator'') were recorded on ''[[Styrax argenteus|S. argenteus]]'', but they do not seem to use it on a regular basis.<ref>Hébert ''et al.'' (2004), Brower ''et al.'' (2006)</ref>
The resin of ''Styrax'' acts to kill wound [[plant pathogen|pathogen]]s and deter [[herbivores]]. Consequently, for example, few [[Lepidoptera]] [[caterpillar]]s eat storax compared to other plants. Those of the [[two-barred flasher]] (''Astraptes fulgerator'') were recorded on ''S. argenteus'', but they do not seem to use it on a regular basis.<ref>Hébert ''et al.'' (2004), Brower ''et al.'' (2006)</ref>


Some storax species have declined in numbers due to unsustainable logging and [[habitat degradation]]. While most of these are classified as [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] (VU) by the [[IUCN]], only four trees of the nearly [[extinct]] ''[[palo de jazmin]]'' (''S. portoricensis'') are known to survive at a single location. Although legally protected, this species could be wiped out by a single [[hurricane]].
Some storax species have declined in numbers due to unsustainable logging and [[habitat degradation]]. While most of these are classified as [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] (VU) by the [[IUCN]], only four trees of the nearly [[extinct]] ''[[palo de jazmin]]'' (''S. portoricensis'') are known to survive at a single location. Although legally protected, this species could be wiped out by a single [[hurricane]].
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[[Image:Styrax camporum Pohl136.png|thumb|right|''[[Styrax camporum]]'' parts drawing.<br/>[[Johann Baptist Emanuel Pohl]]: ''Plantarum Brasiliae icones et descriptiones hactenus ineditae'' Vol. 1. (1827)]]
[[Image:Styrax camporum Pohl136.png|thumb|right|''[[Styrax camporum]]'' parts drawing.<br/>[[Johann Baptist Emanuel Pohl]]: ''Plantarum Brasiliae icones et descriptiones hactenus ineditae'' Vol. 1. (1827)]]
[[Image:Styrax obassia flowers 002.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Styrax obassia]]'']]
[[Image:Styrax obassia flowers 002.JPG|thumb|right|''[[Styrax obassia]]'']]
{{div col|colwidth=|2}}
{{div col}}
* ''[[Styrax agrestis]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax agrestis]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax americanus]]''<!-- "americanum" is lapsus --> – SE USA
* ''[[Styrax americanus]]'' – SE USA
* ''[[Styrax argenteus]]''
* ''[[Styrax argenteus]]'' – N & S America
* ''[[Styrax argentifolius]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax argentifolius]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax bashanensis]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax bashanensis]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax benzoides]]'' – Thailand, S China
* ''[[Styrax benzoides]]'' – Thailand, S China
* ''[[Styrax benzoin]]'' <small>Dryand.</small> &ndash; [[Styrax benzoin|gum benjamin tree]] – Sumatra
* ''[[Styrax benzoin]]'' – Sumatra
* ''[[Styrax calvescens]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax calvescens]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax camporum]]'' <small>[[Johann Baptist Emanuel Pohl|Pohl]]</small>
* ''[[Styrax camporum]]'' – Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay
* ''[[Styrax chinensis]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax chinensis]]'' – China
⚫
*''[[Styrax chrysocalyx]]'' – Brazil
* ''[[Styrax chrysocarpus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax chrysocarpus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax confusus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax confusus]]'' – China
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* ''[[Styrax dasyanthus]]'' – central China
* ''[[Styrax dasyanthus]]'' – central China
* ''[[Styrax faberi]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax faberi]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax ferrugineus]]'' <small>[[Helge Ness|Ness]] et [[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]</small>
* ''[[Styrax ferrugineus]]'' – Braxil, Bolivia, Paraguay
* ''[[Styrax formosanus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax formosanus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax foveolaria]]'' – Peru and Ecuador
* ''[[Styrax foveolaria]]'' – Peru and Ecuador
* ''[[Styrax fraserensis]]'' – Malaysia
* ''[[Styrax fraserensis]]'' – Malaysia
* ''[[Styrax grandiflorus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax grandiflorus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax grandifolius]]''<!-- "grandifolium" is lapsus--> – SE USA
* ''[[Styrax grandifolius]]'' – SE USA
* ''[[Styrax hainanensis]]'' – S China
* ''[[Styrax hainanensis]]'' – S China
* ''[[Styrax hemsleyanus]]''<!-- masculine gender accepted as correct, see IPNI--> – China
* ''[[Styrax hemsleyanus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax hookeri]]'' – Himalaya
* ''[[Styrax hookeri]]'' – Himalaya
* ''[[Styrax huanus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax huanus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax jaliscana]]'' – Mexico
* ''[[Styrax jaliscana]]'' – Mexico
* ''[[Styrax japonicus]]''<!-- "japonica" is lapsus--> &ndash; ''[[egonoki]]'' – Japan
* ''[[Styrax japonicus]]'' – Japan
* ''[[Styrax limpritchii]]'' – SW China (Yunnan)
* ''[[Styrax limpritchii]]'' – SW China (Yunnan)
* ''[[Styrax litseoides]]'' – Vietnam
* ''[[Styrax litseoides]]'' – Vietnam
* ''[[Styrax macranthus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax macranthus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax macrocarpus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax macrocarpus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax martii]]'' <small>[[Seub.]]</small>
* ''[[Styrax martii]]'' – Brazil
* ''[[Styrax obassia]]'' – Japan, China
* ''[[Styrax obassia]]'' – Japan, China
* ''[[Styrax odoratissimus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax odoratissimus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax officinalis]]'' <small>L.</small> – SE Europe, SW Asia
* ''[[Styrax officinalis]]'' – SE Europe, SW Asia
* ''[[Styrax pentlandianus]]'' – Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia
* ''[[Styrax pentlandianus]]'' – Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia
* ''[[Styrax perkinsiae]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax perkinsiae]]'' – China
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* ''[[Styrax philadelphoides]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax philadelphoides]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax platanifolius]]'' – Texas, NE Mexico
* ''[[Styrax platanifolius]]'' – Texas, NE Mexico
* ''[[Styrax pohlii]]'' <small>[[Alphonse Pyrame de Candolle|A.DC.]]</small>
* ''[[Styrax pohlii]]'' – Suriname, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia
* ''[[Styrax portoricensis]]'' &ndash; ''[[palo de jazmin]]'' – Puerto Rico
* ''[[Styrax portoricensis]]'' – Puerto Rico
* ''[[Styrax redivivus]]'' – California
* ''[[Styrax redivivus]]'' – California
* ''[[Styrax roseus]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax roseus]]'' – China
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* ''[[Styrax suberifolius]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax suberifolius]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax supaii]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax supaii]]'' – China
⚫
* ''[[Styrax tafelbergensis]]'' – Suriname
* ''[[Styrax tomentosus]]'' – Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
* ''[[Styrax tomentosus]]'' – Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
* ''[[Styrax tonkinensis]]'' <small>Craib</small> &ndash; [[Siam Benzoin]] – SE Asia
* ''[[Styrax tonkinensis]]'' – SE Asia
* ''[[Styrax veitchiorum]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax veitchiorum]]'' – China
* ''[[Styrax vilcabambae]]'' – Peru
* ''[[Styrax vilcabambae]]'' – Peru
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==References==
==References==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{aut|Brower, Andrew V.Z.}} (2006): Problems with DNA barcodes for species delimitation: 'ten species' of ''Astraptes fulgerator'' reassessed (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). ''Systematics and Biodiversity'' '''4'''(2): 127–132. {{doi|10.1017/S147720000500191X}}
* {{aut|Brower, Andrew V.Z.}} (2006): Problems with DNA barcodes for species delimitation: 'ten species' of ''Astraptes fulgerator'' reassessed (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). ''Systematics and Biodiversity'' '''4'''(2): 127–132. {{doi|10.1017/S147720000500191X}}
* {{aut|Fritsch, P.W.; Morton, C.M.; Chen, T. & Meldrum, C.}} (2001). Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Styracaceae. ''[[International Journal of Plant Sciences|Int. J Plant Sci.]]'' '''162'''(6, Supplement): S95–S116. {{doi|10.1086/323418}}
* {{aut|Fritsch, P.W.; Morton, C.M.; Chen, T. & Meldrum, C.}} (2001). Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Styracaceae. ''[[International Journal of Plant Sciences|Int. J Plant Sci.]]'' '''162'''(6, Supplement): S95–S116. {{doi|10.1086/323418}}
* {{aut|[[Herodotus of Halicarnassus]]}} (c.440 BC): ''[[Histories (Herodotus)|The Histories]]''. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126 Annotated HTML fulltext] of 1921 [[A. D. Godley]] translation.
* {{aut|[[Herodotus of Halicarnassus]]}} (c.440 BC): ''[[Histories (Herodotus)|The Histories]]''. [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126 Annotated HTML fulltext] of 1921 [[A. D. Godley]] translation.
* {{aut|Pastrorova, I.; de Koster, C.G. & Boom, J.J.}} (1997): Analytical Study of Free and Ester Bound Benzoic and Cinnamic Acids of Gum Benzoin Resins by GC-MS and HPLC-frit FAB-MS. ''[[Phytochemical Analysis|Phytochem. Analysis]]'' '''8'''(2): 63-73. {{doi|10.1002/(SICI)1099-1565(199703)8:2<63::AID-PCA337>3.0.CO;2-Y}}
* {{aut|Pastrorova, I.; de Koster, C.G. & Boom, J.J.}} (1997): Analytical Study of Free and Ester Bound Benzoic and Cinnamic Acids of Gum Benzoin Resins by GC-MS and HPLC-frit FAB-MS. ''[[Phytochemical Analysis|Phytochem. Anal.]]'' '''8'''(2): 63–73. {{doi|10.1002/(SICI)1099-1565(199703)8:2<63::AID-PCA337>3.0.CO;2-Y}}
* {{aut|[[Paul D. N. Hebert|Hébert, Paul D.N.]]; Penton, Erin H.; Burns, John M.; Janzen, Daniel H. & Hallwachs, Winnie}} (2004): Ten species in one: DNA barcoding reveals cryptic species in the semitropical skipper butterfly ''Astraptes fulgerator''. ''[[PNAS]]'' '''101'''(41): 14812-14817. {{doi|10.1073/pnas.0406166101}} [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/101/41/14812.pdf PDF fulltext] [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/0406166101/DC1 Supporting Appendices]
* {{aut|[[Paul D. N. Hebert|Hébert, Paul D.N.]]; Penton, Erin H.; Burns, John M.; Janzen, Daniel H. & Hallwachs, Winnie}} (2004): Ten species in one: DNA barcoding reveals cryptic species in the semitropical skipper butterfly ''Astraptes fulgerator''. ''[[PNAS]]'' '''101'''(41): 14812–14817. {{doi|10.1073/pnas.0406166101}} [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/101/41/14812.pdf PDF fulltext] [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/0406166101/DC1 Supporting Appendices]
* {{aut|Wallnöfer, B.}} (1997). A revision of ''Styrax'' L. section ''Pamphilia'' (Mart. ex A. DC.) B. Walln. (Styracaceae). ''Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien'' '''99B''': 681–720.
* {{aut|Wallnöfer, B.}} (1997). A revision of ''Styrax'' L. section ''Pamphilia'' (Mart. ex A. DC.) B. Walln. (Styracaceae). ''Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien'' '''99B''': 681–720.


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[[Category:Styrax| ]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Styrax| Styrax]]
[[Category:Ericales genera]]

Revision as of 17:58, 27 October 2023

For other uses, see Styrax (disambiguation).
For Pamphilia, the speaker of Lady Mary Wroth's sonnet sequence, see Pamphilia to Amphilanthus.
"Pamphilia" redirects here. Not to be confused with Pamphylia.

Styrax
Styrax platanifolius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Styracaceae
Genus: Styrax
L.
Species

About 130, see text

Synonyms

Pamphilia Mart. ex A. DC.[verification needed]

Styrax (common names storax or snowbell[1]) is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, mostly native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America.[2] The resin obtained from the tree is called benzoin or storax (not to be confused with the Liquidambar storax balsam).

The genus Pamphilia, sometimes regarded as distinct, is now included within Styrax based on analysis of morphological and DNA sequence data.[3] The spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a different plant, in the family Lauraceae.

Styrax trees grow to 2–14 m tall, and have alternate, deciduous or evergreen simple ovate leaves 1–18 cm long and 2–10 cm broad. The flowers are pendulous, with a white 5–10-lobed corolla, produced 3–30 together on open or dense panicles 5–25 cm long. The fruit is an oblong dry drupe, smooth and lacking ribs or narrow wings, unlike the fruit of the related snowdrop trees (Halesia) and epaulette trees (Pterostyrax).

Uses

Uses of resin

Benzoin resin, a dried exudation from pierced bark, is currently produced from various Styrax species native to Sumatra, Java, and Thailand. Commonly traded are the resins of S. tonkinensis (Siam benzoin), S. benzoin (Sumatra benzoin), and S. benzoides. The name benzoin is probably derived from Arabic lubān jāwī (لبان جاوي, "Javan frankincense); compare the obsolete terms gum benjamin and benjoin. This incidentally shows that the Arabs were aware of the origin of these resins, and that by the late Middle Ages at latest international trade in them was probably of major importance.

The chemical benzoin (2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone), despite the apparent similarity of the name, is not contained in benzoin resin in measurable quantities. However, benzoin resin does contain small amounts of the hydrocarbon styrene, named however for Levant storax (from Liquidambar orientalis), from which it was first isolated, and not for the genus Styrax itself; industrially produced styrene is now used to produce polystyrene plastics, including Styrofoam.

History of sources

Styrax officinalis resin was mainly used in antiquity

Since Antiquity, storax resin has been used in perfumes, certain types of incense, and medicines.

There is some degree of uncertainty as to exactly what resin old sources refer to. Turkish sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) is a quite unrelated tree in the family Altingiaceae that produces a similar resin traded in modern times as storax or as Levant storax, like the resins of other sweetgums, and a number of confusing variations thereupon. Turkish sweetgum is a relict species that occurs only in a small area in SW Turkey (and not in the Levant at all); presumably, quite some of the "storax resin" of the Ancient Greek and the Ancient Roman sources was from this sweetgum, rather than a Styrax, although at least during the former era genuine Styrax resin, probably from S. officinalis, was imported in quantity from the Near East by Phoenician merchants, and Herodotus of Halicarnassus in the 5th century BC indicates that different kinds of storax were traded.[4]

The nataf (נטף) of the incense sacred to Yahweh, mentioned in the Book of Exodus, is loosely translated by the Greek term staktē (στακτή, AMP: Exodus 30:34), or an unspecific "gum resin" or similar term (NIV: Exodus 30:34). Nataf may have meant the resin of Styrax officinalis or of some other plant, perhaps Turkish sweetgum, which is unlikely to have been imported in quantity into the Near East.

Since the Middle Ages, Southeast Asian benzoin resins became increasingly available; today there is little international trade in S. officinalis resin and little production of Turkish sweetgum resin due to that species' decline in numbers.

Use as incense

Storax incense is used in the Middle East and adjacent regions as an air freshener. This was adopted in the European Papier d'Arménie. Storax resin from southern Arabian species was burned during frankincense (Boswellia resin) harvesting; it was said to drive away snakes:

"[The Arabians] gather frankincense by burning that storax which Phoenicians carry to Hellas; they burn this and so get the frankincense; for the spice-bearing trees are guarded by small winged snakes of varied color, many around each tree; these are the snakes that attack Egypt.[5] Nothing except the smoke of storax will drive them away from the trees."[6]

Gum benjamin (Styrax benzoin) parts drawing.
Franz Eugen Köhler: Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen in naturgetreuen Abbildungen, etc. (1887)

Medical uses

There has been little dedicated research into the medical properties of storax resin, but it has been used for long, and apparently with favorable results. It was important in Islamic medicine; Avicenna (Ibn Sina, ابن سینا) discusses S. officinalis it in his Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (القانون في الطب, The Law of Medicine). He indicates that storax resin mixed with other antibiotic substances and hardening material gives a good dental restorative material. Benzoin resin is a component of the "Theriaca Andromachi Senioris", a Venice treacle recipe in the 1686 d'Amsterdammer Apotheek.

Tincture of benzoin is benzoin resin dissolved in alcohol. This and its numerous derived versions like lait virginal and friar's balsam were highly esteemed in 19th-century European cosmetics and other household purposes; they apparently had antibacterial properties. Today tincture of benzoin is most often used in first aid for small injuries, as it acts as a disinfectant and local anesthetic and seems to promote healing. Benzoin resin and its derivatives are also used as additives in cigarettes.

The antibiotic activity of benzoin resin seems mostly due to its abundant benzoic acid and benzoic acid esters, which were named after the resin; other less well known secondary compounds such as lignans like pinoresinol are likely significant too.[7]

Horticultural uses

Early summer blossoms of Styrax japonicus

Several species of storax are popular ornamental trees in parks and gardens, especially S. japonicus and its cultivars such as 'Emerald Pagoda', and Styrax obassia.

Uses of wood

The wood of larger species is suitable for fine handicrafts. That of egonoki (エゴノキ, S. japonicus) is used to build kokyū (胡弓), the Japanese bowed instrument.

Ecology and conservation

The resin of Styrax acts to kill wound pathogens and deter herbivores. Consequently, for example, few Lepidoptera caterpillars eat storax compared to other plants. Those of the two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator) were recorded on S. argenteus, but they do not seem to use it on a regular basis.[8]

Some storax species have declined in numbers due to unsustainable logging and habitat degradation. While most of these are classified as vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN, only four trees of the nearly extinct palo de jazmin (S. portoricensis) are known to survive at a single location. Although legally protected, this species could be wiped out by a single hurricane.

Selected species

Styrax camporum parts drawing.
Johann Baptist Emanuel Pohl: Plantarum Brasiliae icones et descriptiones hactenus ineditae Vol. 1. (1827)
Styrax obassia

Footnotes

  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Styrax​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ Fritsch et al. (2001)
  3. ^ Wallnöfer (1997), Fritsch et al. (2001)
  4. ^ Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) III.107.2
  5. ^ Although Herodotus saw bones of many of "these [...] snakes", their having wings is hearsay information and either incorrect or refers to some kind of agama with neck or body ornaments. See Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) II.75.1-4.
  6. ^ Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c.440 BC) III.107.2:

    ton men ge libanôton sullegousi tên sturaka thumiôntes, tên es Hellênas Phoinikes exagousi: tautên thumiôntes lambanousi: ta gar dendrea tauta ta libanôtophora ophies hupopteroi, mikroi ta megathea, poikiloi ta eidea, phulassousi plêtheï polloi peri dendron hekaston, houtoi hoi per ep' Aigupton epistrateuontai, oudeni de allôi apelaunontai apo tôn dendreôn ê tês sturakos tôi kapnôi.
  7. ^ Pastrorova et al. (1997)
  8. ^ Hébert et al. (2004), Brower et al. (2006)

References

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