Silky-ash Ehretia acuminata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eh-RET-ee-uh ah-kew-min-AY-tah
- Description
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Kodo wood is a tree in the Boraginaceae family that is native to Asia and Australia. The tree varies widely in its range depending on where it is growing. Kodo wood has flowers with a delicate fragrance and showy edible fruits that attract birds. As the fruits form, the whole canopy becomes covered with berries, adding interest to the fall garden. It will grow up to 25 feet tall and wide with a thick canopy. It is an evergreen tree but during a drought, it may become deciduous. Plant in a location that provides shelter.
Kodo wood prefers full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile, moist, sandy loam soil. Be sure to water during a drought. Use as a shade tree, specimen or accent in a yard, park or along a street. The fruits may be messy. This tree may be difficult to find for sale.
The wood from Kodo Wood is strong, yet lightweight, and often used to build furniture and as carrying poles.
When propagating from seed, ensure that the flesh is removed from the fruit. Rapid germination is common.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ehretia
- Species:
- acuminata
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The timber is used for building and furniture. The leaves and branchlets are used in Chinese medicine.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Asia to Australia
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the fruits.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Fruit is sweet and can be eaten raw. Immature fruits can be pickled.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Forming in clusters, the small sweet-tasting fruits turns from Yellow-orange to black. Each is about the size of a pea and contains four seeds. Unripe fruit can be used as a pickle.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny white 5 parted flowers on 8 in. panicle.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are elliptic to oval and green with distinct veining. Margins have fine teeth and the upper surface has fine hairs. The base is broad cuneate and apex acute. 4- 6 inches long by 1.5-2 inches wide.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Dark brown-gray bark with vertical fissures and fluted base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young stems are smooth and brown with distinct lenticels.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
