Common Name: Chittamwood

General Information

Sideroxylon lanuginosum is a usually spiny, deciduous shrub or tree with a narrow crown; it can grow up to 15 metres tall[, ]. Trees usually branch from low down.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood.
Sideroxylon lanuginosum 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

Southern N. America - Arizona to Kansas and Georgia, south to northeast Mexico. Texas and Florida

Habitat

On sandy beaches and in sandy woods, preferring water courses and washes[, , ]. Upland and floodplain forests, sandhills, hammocks; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Sideroxylon lanuginosum is a plant of temperate to subtropical regions of N. America. Forms from higher elevations and to the north of its range have been known to tolerate occasional temperatures falling as low as -15°c, though in general the plant often does not do well outside of the milder regions of the temperate zone. If plants are cut back by cold weather, they will often regenerate freely from the base[, ].
Succeeds in a warm sunny site in any freely draining moderately fertile soil[]. Succeeds in partial shade[]. Tolerates salt spray[].
The flowers are an excellent source of honey[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - usually pickled[, ]. Not very tasty according to one report[] whilst another says that large quantities can cause stomach upsets[]. The fruit is between 1 - 2cm in diameter[]. The broadly ellipsoid to oblanceolate fruit is 7 - 14mm long, containing a single (occasionally two) large seed[].

A clear viscid gum is obtained from the cut wood[]. It also exudes freely from wounds on the trunk and branches[]. The dried and ground up bark is used like chicle as a chewing gum[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A clear viscid gum is obtained from the cut wood[]. It also exudes freely from wounds on the trunk and branches[].

Wood - heavy, rather soft, not strong, close grained[, ]. It weighs about 40lb per cubic foot[]. Used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed - we have no details on this species but would suggest that if ripe seed can be obtained it should be sown straight away in a cold greenhouse. Stored seed can be sown in late winter or early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.