Halesia Carolina Silver Bell Flowering: April-May Field Marks: This species is distinguished by its white, bell-shaped flowers and its dry, 4-winged fruits. Habitat: Rich woods, along streams, river bottoms, on slopes. Habit: Tree to 45 feet tall, with a trunk diameter up to 20 inches. Bark: Red-brown, with whitish stripes, becoming a little scaly. Twigs: Slender, red-brown, usually smooth. Leaves: Alternate, simple, oval to elliptic, pointed at the tip, tapering or rounded at the base, finely toothed, usually smooth on the upper surface, smooth or slightly hairy on the lower surface, up to 6 inches long, up to 3 inches broad, on stalks up to 1/2 inch long. Flowers: Few in hanging clusters, showy. Sepals: 4, green, united below. Petals: 4, white, united to form a bell up to 3/4 inch long. . Fruits: Oblong, dry, with 4 wings, up to 2 inches long, with a persistent style at the tip. Notes: This tree is a handsome ornamental because of its beautiful, 'White, bell-shaped flowers. The fruits of the Carolina silver-bell remain on the branches into the winter. Zone 5-8, fall foliage yellow, Heigth 30-40' width 20-35'