Shittamwood
Bumelia lycioides

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 8

Where it is found

Low moist soils by swamps and streams, also found on rocky bluffs.

South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Indiana and Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit. No further details. The fruit has a thick flesh and is about 10mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

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

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

How it is grown

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

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Sideroxylon lycioides.