Loropetalum



Loropetalum is a genus of four species of shrubs or small trees in the witch-hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, native to China, Japan, and south-eastern Asia.

Description
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.

Taxonomy
Loropetalum is placed in tribe Loropetaleae, subfamily Hamamelidoideae, family Hamamelidaceae of the Saxifragales.

Etymology
The name Loropetalum refers to the shape of the flowers and comes from the Greek loron meaning strap and petalon meaning petal.

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