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Pinckneya bracteata
Pinckneya bracteata (W. Bartram) Raf.
Fevertree, Pinckneya, Feverbark, Poinsettia Tree, Georgia Bark
Rubiaceae (Madder Family)
Synonym(s): Pinckneya pubens
USDA Symbol: PIBR6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Fevertree or pinckneya is a large, open shrub or small tree, growing 10-30 ft. high. Large, coarse, rich-green leaves are concentrated at branch ends. Flowers are yellowish-green and tubular with five, reflexed lobes. The showy part of the floral display, however, is the white, pink or rose sepals that become petal-like and reminiscent of poinsettias. Rich-green foliage.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , GreenBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: FL , GA , SCNative Distribution: SC to FL
Native Habitat: Low woods; margins of sloughs, swamps & streams
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Description: Loose, moist, fertile soil.
Conditions Comments: Like many other wetland plants, pinckneya grows in wet areas not because it reqires such conditions but because wet soil minimizes competition from upland plants. Under cultivation, this tree responds well to fertile, well-drained soil, where it suckers less and grows more slowly. Short-lived and pest free. Not cold-hardy. Flowers remain effective for several weeks.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by fall-sown seeds or cuttings from young plants.Seed Collection: Seed capsule is brown with obvious white scales and splits across the apex. Gather after the seeds have fallen and allow to dry until they begin to split.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require no pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Georgia Native Plant Society - Atlanta, GA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic BotanyWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Research Literature
Reslit 2710 - Systematics, typification, distribution, and reproductive biology of Pinckneya bracteata (Rubiaceae) (1996) P. G. DelpreteThis information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature
Additional resources
USDA: Find Pinckneya bracteata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pinckneya bracteata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinckneya bracteata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-15Research By: TWC Staff