Clethra arborea (Lily of the Valley Tree)

Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Clethraceae
Genus: Clethra
Species: C. arborea
Scientific name: Clethra arborea
Commin name: Lily of the Valley Tree

Clethra arborea is a large evergreen shrub or tree endemic to Madeira (Portuguese archipelago). It is broadly conical with red young shoots in spring and has glossy dark green leaves up to 15 cm long.
The very fragrant white flowers are cup shaped (8mm across) and are produced in lax, terminal racemes up to 15 cc long. Flowering occurs in January and February. It will grow to a tree 8m tall.

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