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Wasowski, Sally and Andy (Victoria, TX)
Ehretia anacua (Teran & Berl.) I.M. Johnston
Anacua, Sugarberry Anacua, Anaqua, Knockaway, Sandpaper tree
Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
USDA Symbol: ehan
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
The sub-tropical knockaway or anacua is a 20-45 ft., evergreen or partly deciduous northward tree, often with suckers or multiple trunks. Leaves evergreen, some falling seasonally, up to 4 1/2 inches long, mostly smaller, ovate or narrower, upper surface rough, margins smooth, tip pointed. Flowers in clusters at the ends of the branchlets, white, fragrant. Fruit fleshy, spherical, up to 5/16 inch in diameter, orange to dark yellow, edibleOlder trees have reddish, flaking bark and gnarled, stocky appearance.
A popular ornamental in Texas, this species is hardy in dry areas and north to central Texas, where the plants may die back in cold winters. Wildlife consume the fruit, and the wood has served for fenceposts and tool handles. The name Anacua is from Anachuite, a Mexican name for this and related species. That word is from two others of the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs meaning paper and tree, perhaps referring to the scaly peeling bark. The English name Knockaway is a corruption from the same source.
View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Size Notes: 20-45
Leaf Color: Dark Green, rough like sandpaper.
Fruit Color: Edible, yellow to red two-seeded berries
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: C. & s. TX & e. Mex.
Native Habitat: Thickets, Open woodlands, Chaparral & brush country, Fence rows
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Well-drained, alkaline soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: An attractive, subtropical tree, if planted as far north as Dallas it will freeze back in cold winters, and rarely develop flowers. It blooms from spring through summer with white, fragrant flowers that cover the tree in dense clusters. Bright edible orange fruits then ripen from April to June. Needs lots of water to get established, but then becomes quite drought-tolerant. Not a true evergreen – it replaces its leaves in early spring. Drought and disease tolerant. Multiple stems later fuse together to form an interesting fluted trunk with rough bark.
Texas comments: Anacua is an attractive, subtropical tree. If planted as far north as Dallas it will freeze back in cold winters and rarely develop flowers. Its multiple stems later fuse together to form an interesting fluted trunk with rough bark. Not a true evergreen – it replaces its leaves in early spring. It needs lots of water to get established, but then becomes quite drought and disease tolerant.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Aromatic, Showy, Blooms ornamental. Deep shade; spring blooms look like the tree is covered with snow; unusual mature trunks look like several corded trunks have been bound together.Use Wildlife: Blossoms attract honeybees. Fruits attract numerous birds and mammals. Nectar-bees, Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals
Use Other: Quite popular as an indoor bonsai. Ehretia anacua, a recent addition to bonsai, is more resistant to heat and draught.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Description: Germinates readily from fresh seed, however germination rates are more uniform if the seed has been stratified. Will root from juvenile wood, suckers or softwood cuttings.Seed Collection: Gather seeds in late summer when fruit has turned orange or reddish. Pulp may be removed or dried on seeds. Store dried seeds in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist sand for 30 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: Hello,
I am a chef from Buenos Aires Argentina visiting Austin, Texas and would like to learn about native, edible plants in the region.
Please let me know if there are any native, edible plants and if they grow wild, I can harvest them myself, or if there is a place I can purchase them.
thanks,
salud!!
click here to view the full question and answer
Question: Which are the best eco friendly tree for parks?
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:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Bibliography
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
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View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Ehretia anacua in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ehretia anacua in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ehretia anacua
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-10-29Research By: TWC Staff, TMH
