Swamp privet, Common adelia, Texas forestiera
Forestiera acuminata
Family: Oleaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. The trunks are slender and often lean. They are 10 cm across. It can form thickets at the waters edge. It grows 7.6 m tall. The leaves are opposite and diamond shaped. They have long points at both ends. There are small teeth above the middle. The leaf stalk is long. The leaves are yellow-green above and paler underneath. The flowers are small and yellowish-green. They are in small clusters and do not have petals. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The fruit are 10-15 mm long. They are dark purple or black. They have a thin pulp and large stone.
There are 15 Forestiera species, 5 in tropical America.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. They need full sun. They are often near the waters edge and in swamps. They can withstand flooding. In the SE of the USA they grow up to 150 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
North America, USA
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.