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Bumelia lycioides - (L.)Pers.

Common Name Shittamwood
Family Sapotaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Low moist soils by swamps and streams, also found on rocky bluffs[82].
Range South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Indiana and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Bumelia lycioides Shittamwood


Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth.
Bumelia lycioides Shittamwood
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 719.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Bumelia lycioides is a deciduous Tree growing to 8 m (26ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Sideroxylon lycioides.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit[177]. No further details. The fruit has a thick flesh and is about 10mm in diameter[82, 200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Wood - heavy, hard, not strong, close grained[82, 229]. It weighs about 46lb per cubic foot[235]. Of no commercial value, it is used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[82, 229].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a warm sunny site in any freely draining moderately fertile soil[200]. Plants are cut back by temperatures below about -15°c but they regenerate freely from the base 200]. Succeeds outdoors at Kew[11], though it is not very vigorous[K]. This species rarely, if ever, fruits in Britain[11]. The tree at Kew flowered freely in the long hot summer of 1989 but did not produce fruit[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no details on this species but would suggest that if ripe seed can be obtained it should be sown straight away in a cold greenhouse. Stored seed can be sown in late winter or early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana (Perry Co.), Illinois (south), Missouri (southeast), Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Bumelia lanuginosaChittamwoodTree15.0 5-9  LMHNM202
Bumelia tenaxIronwood, Tough bullyTree8.0 8-11  LMHNM202

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Pers.

Botanical References

1182200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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