title: Loropetalum
text: # Loropetalum
  
  Loropetalum is a genus of four species of shrubs or small trees in the witch-hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, native to China, Japan, and south-eastern Asia.
  
  ## Description
  
  Flowers are produced in clusters during spring and are similar to those of the closely related witch-hazel. Each flower consists of four to six (depending on species) slender strap shaped petals 1–2 cm long.
  
  ## Taxonomy
  
  Loropetalum is placed in tribe Loropetaleae, subfamily Hamamelidoideae, family Hamamelidaceae of the Saxifragales.
  
  ### Etymology
  
  The name Loropetalum refers to the shape of the flowers and comes from the Greek loron meaning strap and petalon meaning petal.
  
  ### Species
  
  The species are:
  
  * Loropetalum chinense - white-flowering variety up to 3.7 m tall, pink-flowering variety up to 1.5 m tall
  * Loropetalum flavum - yellow flowers
  * Loropetalum lanceum - up to 13 m tall, white flowers
  * Loropetalum subcordatum - up to 12 m tall
  