General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Streambanks, swamp edges, wet hammocks, moist woods
Native States: FL, GA, AL, MS, LA, SC, NC, TN, KY, VA, WV, MD, DE, PA, NJ, OH, IN, IL, MO, AR, NY, CT, MA, RI
Growing Zones: 4–9
Size at Maturity: 10–20 feet tall, 8–12 feet wide
Phenology: Deciduous
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Fast
Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed, upright, thicket-forming, woody
Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring
Bloom Color: Reddish (male catkins), green (female flowers)
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full-Part
Soil Texture: Sand, loam, clay, muck
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Moist, wet
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low/None
Keystone Plant: No
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Riparian buffers, erosion control, rain gardens, naturalized wetland plantings
Maintenance Tips: Prune to maintain shape if desired; suckers to form colonies, which can be thinned
Considerations: May spread aggressively in moist conditions; best for restoration or informal settings
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Moderate
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: Yes
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
Historical Medicinal Uses: Bark used traditionally as an astringent and to treat wounds and fevers
Florida Native Companion Plant: Buttonbush, Bald Cypress, Red Maple
Wildlife Benefit: Songbirds, waterfowl, butterflies, small mammals
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes – host to Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) and other moth species