Halesia tetraptera, 
THE COMMON SNOWDROP-TREE. 
Synonymes. 
Halesia tetraptera, 
Halesia tetraptera, 
Snowdrop-tree, Silver Bell-tree, 
Olive-tree, 
Wild 
Linn^us, Species Plantarum. 
Don, Miller's Dictionary. 
Loudon, Arboretum Britannicum. 
France and Germany. 
Britain and Anglo-America. 
Derivations. The specific name tetraptera is derived from the Greek tetra, four, and pteron, a wing, in allusion to the foul 
wings of the fruit of this tree. It is called Snowdrop-tree, from the resemblance which its flowers bear to those of the snowdrop. 
Engravings. Curtis, Botanical Magazine, pi. 910 ; Audubon, Birds of America; Lou&m, Arboretum Britannicum, ii., fig. 
1012 and vi., B pl- 196 et 197 ; and the figures below. 
Specific Characters. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminated, sharply serrated. Petioles glandular. Fruit 
with 4 wings. Leaves acuminated, with the middle depressed. Flowers pure white, 910 in a fascicle, 
drooping, resembling those of the snowdrop. Don, Miller's Diet. 
Description. 
22^11 HE Halesia tetraptera is a beauti- 
S r 3 \$ f"l l w tree or large shrub, grow- 
(( ing from fifteen to thirty feet in 
&55all height, with a trunk from five to 
eighteen inches in diameter. The bark of the trunk is of a 
darkish colour, with many irregular fissures. The leaves are 
ovate-acuminate, serrate, with the middle depressed. The 
flowers, which are of a pure white, put forth in April and 
May, and are succeeded by an acid fruit, of a rhomboidal 
form, with four wings. Its flowers are produced in great 
abundance; and, from their shape, colour, and pendulous 
appearance, they are considered as resembling those of the 
snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis.) 
Variety. H. t. parviflora. Small-flowered Four -winged- fruited Halesia, o/ 
Snowdrop-tree ; Halesia parviflora, of Pursh, Michaux, and others. This vari- 
ety, though usually considered as a distinct species, differs from the Halesia 
tetraptera, chiefly in having the leaves downy and glaucous beneath. 
Geography, fyc. The Halesia tetraptera is found in shady woods, on the 
banks of streams, from Carolina to Texas. It was introduced into Britain in 
1756, and is to be met with in most of the European collections. The largest 
recorded trees of this species in Britain, are at Purser's Cross, and at Syon House, 
near London, which exceed thirty feet in height, with trunks about eighteen 
inches in diameter. At Schwobber, in Hanover, Germany, there is another tree 
of about the same dimensions. 
This species may be propagated from seeds which often remain in the ground 
more than a year without vegetating. It may also be increased by cuttings or 
by layers. 
Properties and Uses. The wood of the Halesia tetraptera is hard, brittle, and 
veined ; but owing to its small size, and comparative scarcity, it is appropriated 
to no particular use in the arts. The fruit, when ripe, is eaten in a crude state, 
by some people; and, when green, it is sometimes employed as a pickle. As 
this species is one of the most ornamental of the American deciduous trees, it 
richly deserves a place in every collection. 
