Plant · GBIF taxon 3855518
Seven Sons Tree
Heptacodium miconioidesAlso known as Seven-Son Flower, Seven Sons Flower
Seven Sons Tree brings rare late-season beauty to forest margins and gardens, producing fragrant clusters of cream-white blossoms in seven-flowered whorls during late summer. Once the white petals drop, the leafy sepals expand into a brilliant cherry-red display that rivals peak autumn foliage. Its tan, paper-like bark constantly exfoliates to reveal rich brown inner layers, providing striking architectural texture throughout winter.
Flowering TreePeeling BarkLate Bloomer
—observations
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—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
Not available
ThreatsDeforestation, agricultural development, and small fragmented wild populations
HabitatsDeciduous mountain forests, scrub, stream margins, and cultivated landscapes
Life span50–100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderDipsacales
- FamilyCaprifoliaceae
- GenusHeptacodium
- SpeciesHeptacodium miconioides
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Features distinctive three-veined leaves, shredding tan bark, and late-summer seven-flowered cluster whorls.
- Support conservation
- Enjoy cultivated landscape specimens and avoid harvesting seed or cuttings from wild populations.
Responsible observation
- Seasonal Observation: Visit in late summer to catch the peak fragrant flowering or in autumn for the vibrant red calyxes.
- Bark Inspection: Examine the multi-stemmed trunk during winter to admire the papery, exfoliating outer bark.
- Pollinator Watching: Look for monarchs and bumblebees congregating around the nectar-rich late-season blooms.
Close Relative (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Relative (c) tomasz przechlewski, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Relative Mariko GODA / Public domain · cc0
Family Relative (c) Chris Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Chris Johnson · cc-by
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