James Burghardt
Family
Cyrillaceae
Botanical Name
CYRILLA racemiflora
Plant Common Name
Black Titi, He Huckleberry, Leatherwood, Swamp Titi
General Description
Fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves make the swamp titi a worthwhile shrub for the garden, although rarely used. Native to the swamps of the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida, it suckers from its roots to form broad thickets. A plant looks sprawling and spreading, with an open habit with bent and contorted branches. In mild winter areas it is mostly evergreen, but is fully deciduous where the winters provide subfreezing temperatures.
The long, tongue-like leaves emerge in spring, becoming a glossy medium to dark green. As the new leafy growth elongates from branch tips, the clusters of white flowers develop from the year-old wood. Numerous long, finger-like flower clusters form a whorl, looking like a mass of icicles in very late spring. The blooming season lasts up to a month. By late summer, the dried seed capsules ripen to a bronzy brown and dangle downward like ornaments. Fall or winter foliage color is orange and scarlet before dropping.
Grow swamp titi, also called leatherwood, in full sun to partial shade in a non-alkaline soil. It excels in moist, organic-rich soils with slow drainage, but will grow well in average, well-drained garden soils. Although the flowers are pretty, this wild-looking shrub is best used in informal settings, such as at the woodland's edge or incorporated into the rear of a mixed border. Cutting back swamp titi results in continued root suckers to rejuvenate the plant.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 11
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m
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Width
10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Thicket/Colonizing
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Bronze, Sandy Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
