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Native Plant Database

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Forestiera acuminata (Eastern swamp-privet)
Simpson, Benny

Forestiera acuminata (Michx.) Poir.

Eastern swamp-privet, Eastern swampprivet

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

USDA Symbol: foac

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Eastern swamp privet is often shrubby in the wild, but can be grown as a small tree, 25-35 ft. tall. Glossy-green, pointed-oval leaves are arranged in pairs on bright green, new twigs. Older branches are ivory-gray and the trunk has smooth, brownish bark, often covered with lichens and liverworts. Yellow flowers, most showy on male plants, occur in small, axillary clusters on the previous season growth before new leaves develop. The fruit, on female plants is a purple-black, olive-like drupe.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , OK , SC , TN , TX
Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to SC, s. IN, s. IL, MO, s.e. KS & OK
Native Habitat: Lowland woods; swamp forests; rocky edges of streams & ponds
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet soils or standing water.
Conditions Comments: Males and females must be planted together to produce fruit for wildlife. A purely ornamental planting can be established with males alone. Deer and rabbits can injure young plants by browsing.

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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