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False Buckthorn Sideroxylon lanuginosum

Previously known as:

  • Bumelia lanuginosa
Phonetic Spelling
sid-der-ox-ZA-lon lan-ee-gih-NEE-sum
Description

Gum bumelia is a deciduous shrub or small to medium tree that is found in the south-central USA and Mexico in the Sapodilla family. It naturally is found at the edges of woodlands, along streams and ponds, and in fencerows and abandoned pastures. The short branches form an oval crown and the tree may reach 45 feet tall and 30 feet wide. The branches often have thorns. The tree flowers in early summer with clusters of small white flowers in the axils of the leaves. Small fruits mature to black in the fall.

This tree does well in sun to part shade in any well-drained soils including rocky ones. It is rarely used in landscapes and may be hard to find. However, it can be utilized in a naturalized setting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#white flowers#low maintenance#showy fruits#stream banks#summer flowers#milky sap#fruits fall#black fruits#deciduous tree#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#white flowers#low maintenance#showy fruits#stream banks#summer flowers#milky sap#fruits fall#black fruits#deciduous tree#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sideroxylon
    Species:
    lanuginosum
    Family:
    Sapotaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The Kiowa and Comanche tribes use the fruit for food and a substance in the outer bark as chewing gum.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South central U.S.A. and Mexico
    Distribution:
    AZ , LA , NM , OK , TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Wildlife will eat the fruit and bees visit the flowers
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Fruit is edible but should be eaten in small quantities to prevent belly aches.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • 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:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/2" long slender shiny globular black fruits mature in the fall with a single seed inside. Occurs singly or in groups of 2-3.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny 5-petaled white flowers appear in clusters in leaf axils on short hairy stems.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Insignificant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    2-3" long and 1 inch wide oblong to obovate are alternate or in clusters on the stem. The tip and base are both tapered. Margins are entire and rolled down. The undersides are hairy. Unexceptional yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    The bark is brown to gray with flattened ridges and deep furrows on mature trees
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Short stout hairy branches have sharp thorns and exude a milky sap.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns