Common Name: Swamp Privet

General Information

Forestiera acuminata is a somewhat spiny, multi-trunked deciduous shrub or small, open-crowned tree; it usually grows around 1.5 - 2.5 metres tall, but can occasionally reach 9 metres with a trunk occasionally reaching 20cm in diameter[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Forestiera acuminata has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and South-eastern N. America - Kansas to Indiana, Kentucky and South Carolina, south to Texal and Florida

Habitat

Wet river banks, by ponds and swamps[]. Found primarily in wet areas, in swamps and bottomland forests, along streams, in wet woods and sloughs, and around ponds and lakes[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Forestiera acuminata is a plant of warmer regions in the temperate zone.
Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade[]. Highly adaptable to most soils and a range of pH levels from acid to basic[, , , ].
The small flowers are fragrant[].
Plants rarely produce fruit in Britain[].
Plants frequently produce new stems from the base of senescing individuals, especially when soils are flooded[]

Edible Uses

The fruit is chewed[]. It is about 25mm long with a thin dry flesh surrounding a large seed[, ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the roots and bark has been taken as a 'health beverage'[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is a light yellow streaked with brown; the sapwood is somewhat lightwer. The wood is close-grained, compact, heavy, soft, not strong, brittle[]. Another report says that the wood is hard, strong, close-grained[, ], whilst yet another describes it as being soft, light in weight and weak[]. It weighs 39lb per cubic foot[]. The wood is used for turnery[, ].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn to late winter in a frame or sheltered outdoor bed.