Leatherwood, Swamp titi, Black Titi, Swamp, Myrtle, Titi Swamp, Leatherwood
Cyrilla racemiflora

Family: Cyrillaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Oval.

Cyrilla racemiflora is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Rich shaded river bottoms, the borders of sandy swamps and shallow ponds of the coastal pine-belt. Also found on high, sandy, exposed ridges rising above streams.

Southern North America - Virginia to Florida and Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The spongy bark at the base of the trunk is pliable, absorbent and astringent. It has been recommended as a styptic.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Styptic: An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.

Other

Rating:

Wood - heavy, hard, close-grained, not strong.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Hedge, Standard, Woodland garden. Requires a sunny position and a humus-rich soil. Thrives in a mixture of peat and loam. Prefers a circum-neutral or slightly acid, moisture-retentive soil. This species has a wide distribution in the wild, extending southwards from South-eastern North America to Brazil. An evergreen small tree in the warmer parts of its range, only those forms from the most northerly part of its range can be grown outdoors in Britain. These northerly forms are deciduous, though may remain evergreen in mild winters. They usually take the form of a small shrub, but can sometimes become a small tree. They succeed outdoors in the south of Britain, though can be damaged or killed in severe winters. The flowers are produced at the base of the current years growth. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms

Propagating it: Seed - 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 softwood, spring in a frame. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Root cuttings in the spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 5-10

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. parviflora. Raf.