Citharexylum Spinosum

Description

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Citharexylum Spinosum (Fiddlewood) is a medium-sized tree or shrub native to Florida. It typically reaches a height of up to 25 feet. Additionally, it has slender arching branches, a dense crown with an oval to irregular shape. It also produces several trunks. In addition, the bark is reddish-brown to gray and furrowed with age.

Furthermore, the simple shiny green leaves are alternate, entire, and spatulate. They measure 4 to 8 inches long. While the flowers are borne in showy hanging clusters. The white fragrant numerous blooms are 5-petaled. They measure about 1/3 inch long, with male and female flowers on different plants. Moreover, the showy fruits are round, fleshy berries, yellow ripening to black, and about 1/2 inch in diameter. The fruits contain multiple seeds. (Propagation is by seed).

In addition, Fiddlewood’s flowers and fruits attract insects and birds. It is best not to plant it in groups as moth caterpillars defoliate them. In Florida’s State Classification Listings identify Fiddlewood as threatened. Fiddlewood, gets its name from the use of wood to make musical instruments. Additionally, the plant has uses in herbal medicine.

Citharexylum Spinosum (Fiddlewood) tolerates a range of soil types if well-drained. It has landscape applications pruned into a tree, hedge or espalier, as a buffer strip or median plant, and near a deck or patio. It is suited for coastal locations, for reclamation, and in a native plant or aroma garden.

Other Names: Fiddlewood, Citharexylum fruticosum, Citharexylum fruticosum villosum, Citharexylum fruticosum fruticosum, White Fiddlewood, Florida Fiddlewood, Spiny Fiddlewood