Deutzia scabra Thunb. - Fuzzy Pride of Rochester
Family - Hydrangeaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Inflorescence of double flowers.
Inflorescence of single flowers.
Flowers:
Calyx.
Mature capsules.
Flowering - April - July.
Habitat - Commonly cultivated and rarely escaped to moist slopes, disturbed hammocks, and roadsides.
Origin - Native to Asia.
Other information - This attractive species has been reported growing wild in only one Alabama county. It is fairly commonly cultivated and can be aggressive if left unchecked. The plant is easy to identify when in flower becasue of its opposite, serrulate leaves, stellate pubescent twigs, and numerous panicles of white flowers. The flowers can be single (with five petals) or double (with many petals) as shown above. The shredding bark of mature stems is another good character to look for.
When not in flower the plant could be mistaken for a bush Honeysuckle.
The genus name Deutzia was given in 1781 by famous Dutch botanist Karl Peter Thunberg to honor his friend Jan van der Deutz (1743-1788).
The species epithet scabra derives from the Latin "scabr" meaning "rough" referring to the stellate hairs of the twigs and leaves.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Rock Island State Park, TN., 5-16-03.