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Cliftonia monophylla - (Lam.)Sarg.

Common Name Ironwood, Buckwheat tree
Family Cyrillaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp, sandy, peat soils in alluvial swamps and bays free from mud, lime, sulphur and salt[82]. Often also found in shallow, rarely overflowed swamps[82].
Range South-eastern N. America - Louisiana to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Cliftonia monophylla Ironwood, Buckwheat tree


http://flickr.com/photos/tedreese/
Cliftonia monophylla Ironwood, Buckwheat tree
Ted Bodner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press, Athens.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Cliftonia monophylla is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. ligustrina. (Willd.)Spreng. Ptelea monophylla. Lam.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

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 - heavy, close-grained, moderately hard, brittle, not strong[82]. It burns with a clear, bright flame and is valued as a fuel[82].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a free-draining, light, sandy, acid soil with additional leafmould added[200]. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain[200]. It can be grown in areas where frosts are light and of short duration, otherwise it will require some protection from winter cold[200]. The flowers are very fragrant[82, 200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species, but the seed is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out in early summer when there is no danger of frost. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a sandy medium in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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

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.

 

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Author

(Lam.)Sarg.

Botanical References

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Links / References

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