Cyrilla racemiflora
swamp titi
Southeastern United States and Neotropics
Overview
Cyrilla racemiflora is a shrub to small tree reaching 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m) tall, with a rounded, multi-stemmed crown and twisted branches. Leaves are leathery, oblong to lance-shaped, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, glossy dark green above, evergreen in the South and semi-evergreen to deciduous farther north, where they turn red and orange before dropping. In early to midsummer it produces many slender drooping racemes 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long packed with small white five-petaled flowers at the base of the current year's growth. The flowers are followed by tiny dry two-seeded capsules that persist into winter. C. racemiflora grows in swamps, bogs, pond margins, and wet pine flatwoods on the southeastern coastal plain and through the West Indies into South America. It spreads by root suckers to form thickets. The shallow, fibrous roots make it sensitive to extended drought. New growth resprouts readily from the base after fire or cutting.
Native Range
Cyrilla racemiflora is native to the southeastern United States coastal plain, from Virginia to Texas, and ranges through the West Indies, Mexico, and into northern South America. It grows in swamps, bogs, pond and stream margins, and wet pine flatwoods.Suggested Uses
Cyrilla racemiflora is grown in rain gardens, pond and bog margins, and naturalized wet borders, spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) apart. Its summer flowers draw bees and are a source of honey. The fall color and persistent capsules add interest in cooler regions.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in early to midsummer, generally June to July. Many drooping racemes of small white flowers open at the base of the season's new growth and are mildly fragrant. The dry capsules that follow persist through fall and winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Cyrilla racemiflora grows in full sun to part shade in moist to wet, acidic soil with a pH from 4.5 to 6.0. It grows in sandy, peaty, and mucky soils and tolerates standing water and seasonal flooding. Plants sucker from the roots to form colonies and resprout from the base after cutting or fire. The shallow root system makes it sensitive to extended drought, and growth slows on dry or alkaline soils. In the southern part of its range the foliage stays evergreen, while farther north it colors red and orange and drops. It is hardy in zones 6 to 11.Pruning
Pruning after summer flowering shapes the crown and removes crowded or crossing stems. Root suckers can be cut to limit the spread of colonies. Cutting old stems to the base renews growth, since the plant resprouts readily.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer