Heptacodium miconioides tree

Heptacodium miconioides fruit and leaves

Heptacodium miconioides bark

Heptacodium miconioides
seven-son flower

Scientific Name
Heptacodium is from the Latin words hepta meaning “seven” and codium referring to a “head”, in reference to the number of individual flowers in each cluster; miconioides means “like the genus Miconia,” tropical trees and shrubs named for Spanish physician and botanist Francisco Mico.
Common Name
Seven-son flower refers to the number of individual flowers in each flower cluster. The Chinese name for the plant is ‘seven-son flower from Zhejiang’.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND NATIVE HABITAT
Seven-son flower is native the Zhejiang Province in western China. Plants are native to rocky woods and full sun in well-drained, acidic soils. Seven-son flower is monotypic, with only one species in the genus. Seven-son flower was discovered and collected by E.H. Wilson in 1907. The genus was described in 1916 by Alfred Rehder of the Arnold Arboretum. The plant seemingly disappeared, only to be rediscovered in 1980 by the Sino-American Botanical Expedition.

CONSERVATION INFORMATION
Not native to Kentucky.

DESCRIPTION
Growth Habit and Form
The habit is multi-stemmed and upright-spreading with arching branches. Plants can be limbed up into small trees or left as multi-stemmed shrubs. Seven-son flower reaches about 10 to 20 feet in height, with a spread of 8 to 10 feet.
Leaves
The glossy dark green leaves are opposite and curved, with entire leaf edges. Leaves have 3 noticeable veins that run the length of the leaf. The leaves have pointed tips, rounded bases and are 3 to 6 inches long and 2 to 2 ¼ inches wide. Leaves may turn purple in autumn, but typically do not develop appreciable fall color.
Flowers
Small, pale, creamy white, fragrant flowers are borne at the ends of branches in a tiered, six-flowered whorl that is terminated by a flower. Flowers occur from August into October and are pollinated by insects, including bees and moths. After blooming, the calyces (sepals) enlarge and turn bright red.
Fruits
Flowers mature to small, rounded fruits, each of which is crowned with a persistent calyx that turns a bright red in the fall. The fruits are in clusters and contain large seeds that are scattered by wind.
Bark
The thin, light brown bark exfoliates in papery strips to expose pale, reddish-brown bark beneath.
Wild and Cultivated Varieties
No known wild or cultivated varieties.

HORTICULTURE
Landscape Use
Seven-son flower can be used as a specimen, in shrub borders and groupings. Plants can be limbed up into single-stemmed trees for smaller landscapes. For larger landscapes, plants can be grown as multi-stemmed shrubs.
Hardiness Zone
Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8.
Growth Rate
Growth rate is medium, 6 to 10’ over a 5 year period.
Cultivation and Propagation Information
Seven-son flower transplants readily from containers. Plants grow well in moist soils and full sun, but the species is adaptable to dry, acid soils and partial shade. Propagation is by seed and softwood cuttings. Seed requires both cold treatment and scarification. Stem cuttings taken in spring and summer root under mist.
Diseases and Insects
Dieback, possibly canker-related, has been reported by authorities.
Wildlife Considerations
Seven-son flower provides homes and shelter for wildlife. Butterflies visit the plant in the garden.
Maintenance Practices
Minimal attention given appropriate cultural conditions.

TRADITIONAL AND MODERN USES
Seven-son flower is an unusual and magnificent ornamental tree that offers unique landscape character every month of the year with its foliage, flowers, fruit, and peeling bark. Use as an accent, in shrub borders, or in groupings. Seven-son flower is a relative of honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and forsythia (Forsythia spp.)