General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Hammocks, upland forests, pine flatwoods, disturbed woodlands
Native States: Widespread across the eastern and central U.S., including Florida
Growing Zones: USDA Zones 3–9
Size at Maturity: 50–80 feet tall, 30–60 feet wide
Phenology: Deciduous
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Growth Habit: Upright, irregular, woody, spreading canopy
Bloom Season: Spring (March–May in Florida)
Bloom Color: White
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Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full-Part
Soil Texture: Sand, loam, clay, adaptable
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Average, adaptable
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low/None
Keystone Plant: Yes
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Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Shade tree, wildlife gardens, naturalistic and restoration plantings
Maintenance Tips: Remove deadwood and root suckers periodically; allow space to grow
Considerations: Drops fruit that can stain surfaces; may host tent caterpillars in spring
Hurricane Wind Resistant: No
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: No
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Other Information
Edible: Yes (fruit is edible raw or cooked; bark and leaves are toxic if consumed in quantity)
Pet Safe: Caution (leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds)
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: No
Historical Medicinal Uses: Bark used in teas and cough syrups as a sedative/expectorant
Florida Native Companion Plant: Quercus laevis, Vaccinium spp., Chionanthus virginicus
Wildlife Benefit: Birds (fruit), pollinators, mammals
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes (Eastern tiger swallowtail, Red-spotted purple, Cecropia moth, others)
Propagation: Seed, cuttings