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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Leitneria floridana is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in March, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

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 - very light, soft, close grained. The layers of annual growth are hardly distinguishable[82]. This is one of the lightest known woods, it weighs about 12½lb per cubic foot, is lighter than cork and is used for floats etc[1, 46, 61, 82, 235].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist lime-free humus-rich soil[200], succeeding in badly-drained soils[182]. Plants grown in Britain tolerate drier conditions than their native habitat, but they still require plenty of moisture[11]. Plants are hardy as far north in America as Boston, Massachusetts[1]. They are unlikely to be fully hardy in all parts of Britain. Plants produce suckers[182]. Vegetative reproduction is predominant, forming large clones from adventitious buds on shallow roots[270]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification so is probably best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. The seed can also be sown in late winter in a greenhouse but the germination is variable[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Young plants should be overwintered in a greenhouse for their first year and can then be planted out in late spring after the last expected frosts[78]. Give some winter protection from the cold for their first year outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[113, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Missouri (southeast), Arkansas, Florida, Georgia (south), 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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

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.

Leitneria floridana - Chapm.