Native Plant Database

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Symplocos tinctoria (Horsesugar)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Symplocos tinctoria (L.) L'Hér.

Horsesugar, Common sweetleaf, Sweetleaf

Symplocaceae (Sweetleaf Family)

USDA Symbol: SYTI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A deciduous or weakly evergreen shrub or small tree to 18 ft. that usually flowers before the leaves appear. The compact clusters of small, fragrant, cream-colored flowers are borne in profusion along the branches of the previous season’s growth. Numerous stamens make the blooms particularly showy. Shrub or small tree with short trunk, open crown of spreading branches, and foliage with sweetish taste.

The common names Sweetleaf and Horsesugar refer to the tasty foliage, which livestock eat greedily. The name Yellowwood and the Latin species name allude to a yellow dye once obtained from the bark and leaves. The bark, like others with bitter aromatic properties, was used by early settlers as a tonic.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Fruit Type: Drupe
Fruit Color: Orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NY , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: S. DE to FL, w. to e. TX; also s.e. OK, AR & TN
Native Habitat: Sandy thickets; alluvial woods; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet or moist, sandy or alluvial soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Acid-based.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Showy, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Foliage relished by browsers. Nectar-insects, Browse, Seeds-granivorous birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Kings hairstreak butterfly.
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains. Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in a meadow sloping down to a big flat area from a pine/maple/oak forest backing. Is there a database search for edible plants by state? If so, sorry, please point us to it. - Feed the Future Food Forest Gardens across the planet
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Symplocos tinctoria in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Symplocos tinctoria in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symplocos tinctoria

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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