Best For Study

Cyrilla

Cyrilla racemiflora ( Swamp Cyrilla )
A fast growing small tree typically reaching around 20 feet in temperate climates ( larger in tropics ) that is native to streambanks and swamps from eastern Texas to southeastern Virginia; south to the Gulf Coast and central Florida. It is also native to Oaxaca, Mexico; south through Central America to Columbia and northern Brazil; also the Caribbean. It is hardy much further north and may even be native locally in Delaware. It sometimes forms thickets.
Some records include: 20 years - 27 x 20 feet; largest on record - 80 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 9 feet; longest lived - 1200 years. Both records recorded in Central America.
The alternately arranged, lance-shaped semi-evergreen leaves, up to 4 x 2 inches , are glossy deep green above, bright green beneath, turning to scarlet or deep red and persisting late in autumn.
The fragrant, white ( rarely pink flowers ) are borne in racemes, up to 6 inches in length, originating from the base of the current years growth during late summer into early autumn. The flowers attract bees and are useful for Honey production.
They are followed by conical, dried, brown fruits, up to 0.1 inches.
The fruits mature during fall and persist well into the following year.
The attractive bark is red-brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 in sun to partial shade preferring light acidic, well drained soil with abundant peat moss worked in. Very flood tolerant but also tolerates much drier sites compared to where it occurs in the wild. Generally easy to grow, except on clay.
Propagation is from seed or semi-ripe cutting.


* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA






Scott Arboretum Clone
Similar to regular Cyrilla racemiflora except for having absolutely no winter dieback in Philly where all other clones in open field trials at Scott Arboretum suffered winter damage.
Hardy north to zone 6, maybe even 5.

RELATED SPECIES

Cyrilla arida
Similar to Cyrilla racemiflora but dwarf in all its parts, reaching a maximum size of only 6 x 6 feet. Some records include: 7 years - 4 x 4 feet. It is evergreen in mild climates.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( 7 on protected sites ) on sandy, well drained soil.

Cyrilla parvifolia ( Littleleaf Cyrilla )
A large shrub or rarely a small tree native only to swamps in southern Georgia and northern Florida, where it is rare. Some record include: largest on record - 33 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The leaves are much smaller, only up to 1.5 inches in length.
The flowers are also borne in much shorter racemes, only up to 2.5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 on sandy, well drained soil.

Cliftonia monophylla ( Titi )
Also called Buckwheat Tree. A very ornamental, moderate growing, evergreen, small tree reaching around 20 feet that is native to swamps in the southeastern U.S. from eastern Louisiana to South Carolina; south to the Gulf Coast and northern Florida. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 2 feet; 5 years - 5 x 5 feet ( avg ); largest on record - 60 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. It often forms thickets in the wild.
The alternately arranged, smooth edged, evergreen leaves, up to 4 x 1 inches, are glossy deep green above, pale green beneath ( without the conspicuous veins beneath that are seen on Cyrilla racemiflora ).
The fragrant white flowers are borne during in erect slender racemes during early spring before the new foliage emerges.
They are followed by very persistant 4-winged fruits, up to 0.3 inches, that are borne in narrow clusters.
The bark is red-brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 9.
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