Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides Rehder)

↑Uses

This species is used in landscaping but its use is relatively rare. It has never been reported escaping into the wild, but because of its rarity, it is hard to know whether or not it poses an invasive risk. It has several features that may point to invasive risk, such as being fast-growing, tolerating a wide variety of soil textures and types, and tolerating a wide range of lighting conditions from full sun to shade. Also, its flowers attract pollinators and thus make it likely to successfully pollinate, and there are few insects that eat it here in North America, both of which are traits shared in common with the most damaging invasive species. For these reasons we recommend against planting it.

Sadly, this plant is endangered in its native range. This is one of many species highlighting the destructiveness of the horticultural industry: while people are expending resources breeding, marketing, and planting this species on continents where it is not native, it has become endangered in its native range. Similarly, other species of shrubs and trees are endangered here in North America that are not being propagated and planted.

We hope to raise awareness of these issues and we encourage you to make responsible choices, not only refraining from buying and planting plants like this, but giving pushback when you see plants like this for sale, and explaining the tragedy and backwardness of plants like this being sold outside their native range while endangered in that very range, and while other plants are endangered and not being sold and planted here.

↑Links & External Resources

• seven sons flower | Virginia Tech Dendrology Factsheets (About This Site)

• seven-son flower | Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (About This Site)

• Heptacodium miconioides Rehder | Plants of the World Online (POWO) (About This Site)