What is "styrax"

Styrax \Sty"rax\, n. [L. styrax, storax, Gr. ?. See Storax.]

1. (Bot.) A genus of shrubs and trees, mostly American or Asiatic, abounding in resinous and aromatic substances. Styrax officinalis yields storax, and S. Benzoin yields benzoin.

2. Same as Storax.

n. Any member of the genus ''Styrax'' of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees, mostly native to temperate or tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

n. any shrub or small tree of the genus Styrax having fragrant bell-shaped flowers that hang below the dark green foliage

Styrax 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. Common names include snowbell, styrax, and the more ambiguous storax and benzoin.

The genus Pamphilia, sometimes regarded as distinct, is now included within Styrax based on analysis of morphological and DNA sequence data. 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).

Styrax can refer to:

• Styrax is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees
• Styrax resin
• Saint Styrax was martyred along with Agapius, Atticus, Carterius, and others in 310 AD.
• Styrax is also the companion of the She-Ra: Princess of Power villain Shadow Weaver.
• Styrax is the race horse that won the 1895 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.''