Itea

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Itea' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/itea/). Accessed 2025-04-27.

Family

Iteaceae

Species in genus

Glossary

alternate: Attached singly along the axis not in pairs or whorls.
capsule: Dry dehiscent fruit; formed from syncarpous ovary.
linear: Strap-shaped.
valvate: (of similar parts of a plant: e.g. petals) Meeting without overlapping; (of dehiscent fruit) opening via valves.

References

There are no active references in this article.

Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Itea' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/itea/). Accessed 2025-04-27.

A description of the rare Itea chinensis will be prepared when sponsorship is available (Heronswood Garden, Washington, June 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

A small genus of deciduous shrubs and evergreen small trees or shrubs, formerly placed in Escalloniaceae. One species native to N. America, the others to E. Asia. Leaves alternate. Flowers in terminal racemes. Petals five, valvate, linear. Fruit a five-valved capsule. The generic name derives from a Greek word for willow.

Itea ilicifolia in full flower against the Laboratory at RHS Garden Wisley, July 2021 – a very striking green-gold fountain. Image John Grimshaw.

Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' in flower (Yorkshire Arboretum, July 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

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