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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Sideroxylon celastrinum (Saffron plum)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Sideroxylon celastrinum

Sideroxylon celastrinum (Kunth) T.D. Penn.

Saffron Plum, Coma Saffron Plum, La Coma, Coma, Milk Buckthorn, Tropical Buckthorn, Downward Plum, Antswood

Sapotaceae (Sapodilla Family)

Synonym(s): Bumelia angustifolia, Bumelia celastrina, Bumelia celastrina var. angustifolia

USDA Symbol: SICE2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

 

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 30 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch
Fruit: Black, Blue

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: FL , TX
Native Distribution: Chaparral & brush country, Thickets, Marshes
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country, Thickets, Marshes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Accent shrub, Understory
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals, Nesting site, Cover
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FAC
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-11
Research By: TWC Staff

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