Ironwood, Tough bumelia, Narrowleaf bumelia, Tough buckthorn, Silver buckthorn
Sideroxylon tenax

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. The crown is spreading. The branches are tough and flexible. They often have straight stout spines. It grows 6 m tall. The trunk is 10 cm across. The leaves are evergreen except in cooler places. They are alternate or clustered in short side twigs. The leaves are 2.5-6 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. They are sword shaped with rounded tips and tapering to the base. The are widest above the middle. They are dark green above and yellowish or pale underneath. The flowers are 3 mm wide. They are bell shaped and green. The fruit are 10-12 mm long and a black berry. They have a thin sweet pulp and one seed.

There are about 25 Bumelia species. The Bumelia may be merged with the Sideroxylon.

Where it is found

It grows in dry sandy soil usually near the coast. It the SE of the USA they grow to 30 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Bumelia tenax (L.) Willd.; and others