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Cliftonia monophylla

Phonetic Spelling
klif-TOH-nee-ah mon-oh-FYE-lah
Description

The Buckwheat Tree is a perennial, flowering, evergreen shrub in leaf all year and producing fragrant flowers briefly in the Spring. It is native to the Southeastern United States and often found in the damp, sandy, peat soils of swamps and bays that are free from mud, lime, sulphur and salt. At maturity, the plant typically reaches a height of 18 feet (although some specimens grow to 45 feet) with a crooked, multi-stemmed form. This plant colonizes and can often form thickets if not trimmed. The plant is noted for its attractive, dark, shiny, thick leaves and white to pinkish, fragrant flower clusters.

The Buckwheat Tree does best in full sun to partial shade in moist to wet, well drained, sandy soil. The soil should be acidic and can be amended with additional leafmould. The Buckwheat Tree is not particularly cold hardy, but can be grown where frosts are light and short. It may require protection when temperatures dip.

The Buckwheat Tree can be hard to find in commercial nurseries; however, 'Chipola Pink', a cultivar with pink flowers is sometimes available.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pest problems. The plant does not tolerate competition from other trees or shrubs.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Chipola Pink'
    A cultivar with pink flowers.
'Chipola Pink'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#white flowers#shrub#honey bees#nectar plant#spring flowers#honey#multistemmed#victorian garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#multitrunked#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Chipola Pink'
    A cultivar with pink flowers.
'Chipola Pink'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#white flowers#shrub#honey bees#nectar plant#spring flowers#honey#multistemmed#victorian garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#multitrunked#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cliftonia
    Species:
    monophylla
    Family:
    Cyrillaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood of this plant is hard, but brittle. It burns with a bright flame and is often used as firewood.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern regions of the United States; Louisiana to Florida.
    Distribution:
    Southeastern United States, north to South Carolina.
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract bees and is a honey plant for bees.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are five winged drupes, yellowish and buckwheat shaped; hence the common name.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    This plant has 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inch fragrant, white or rose flowers that bloom in spring. Conspicuous anthers are orange-colored. Flowers are arranged in upright racemes at the ends of the branches. Each flower has five white petals. The flowers are an important nectar source for bees.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has opposite, simple, 1 to 2 inch lustrous, dark green leaves, shiny above and lighter green or whitish below.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators