Dunatchik, David
Cyrilla racemiflora L.
Swamp titi, Titi, Leatherwood, Swamp cyrilla, Palo colorado
Cyrillaceae (Titi Family)
Native from southeastern North America south through Central America and the West Indies to northeastern South America, this
deciduous tree stays under 30 ft., and, though it looks shrubby for several years, eventually makes a slender
tree with smooth, cinnamon-colored trunks; abundant, showy,
whorled clusters of airy, white blooms; and dark-green leaves. In the northern part of its range, the leaves turn rust-red in fall, dropping in spring just as the new leaves unfurl. Farther south, plants are nearly evergreen. Summer fruits are yellow-brown.
In the upper mountain forests of Puerto Rico, Leatherwood is a large dominant
tree known as palo colorado (red tree) because of its reddish-brown
bark and wood. Bees produce a dark honey from the flowers.
Image Gallery:
13 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Flower: Flowers 4 inches
Fruit: Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , DE , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Coastal plain from s.e. VA to FL and TX, south through the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America to northeastern South America.
Native Habitat: Low, wet pinelands; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained soils with high organic matter. Acid-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam
Conditions Comments: Leatherwood does not tolerate competition from other trees or shrubs. It has no serious disease or insect problems.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Showy, Blooms ornamental, Bog or pond area, Fall conspicuous, Water garden
Use Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2012-09-29
