Sideroxylon spp.

Sapotaceae

Americas, Africa, and Indian Ocean islands

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Sideroxylon spp. is a genus of evergreen and semi-evergreen trees and shrubs in the sapodilla family, with about 80 species in warm regions of the Americas, Africa, and the Mascarene Islands. Plants range from multi-stemmed shrubs 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) tall to trees reaching 30-80 feet (9-24 m), and many carry stiff, spine-tipped branches. The bark is gray and furrowed, and cut wood and stems exude milky latex. Leaves are alternate or clustered on short spurs, oval to elliptic, 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) long, leathery, dark green above and often rusty- or silvery-hairy beneath. Small creamy-white to greenish flowers, 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm) across, form tight clusters along the twigs and are fragrant in several species. They are followed by single-seeded berry-like drupes 0.3-1 inch (8-25 mm) long that ripen black or purple-black. Growth is slow, and the wood is hard and heavy. The spines on many species make pruning and handling difficult.

Native Range

Sideroxylon spp. species are native to the Americas from the southern United States through Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, with additional species in Africa and on Indian Ocean islands. They grow in coastal hammocks, dry scrub, thorn woodland, and forest, on sandy, rocky, or limestone soils, mostly at low elevations.

Suggested Uses

Grown as specimen trees, coastal and seaside plantings, hedges, and wildlife plantings in frost-free regions, spaced 8-20 feet (2.4-6 m) apart depending on species. The spines and slow growth leave some species hard to place in small gardens. The black drupes are eaten by birds, and the hard wood is used locally for tools and construction.

How to Identify

Recognized by leathery, often rusty-backed leaves clustered on short spurs, milky latex in cut stems, and stiff, spine-tipped branches in many species. Small creamy-white to greenish flowers cluster tightly along the twigs, followed by black or purple-black drupes 0.3-1 inch (8-25 mm) long. The latex and spur-clustered leaves separate it from true buckthorns (Rhamnus spp.).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 80'

Width/Spread6' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering varies with species and climate, occurring mainly in spring and summer, and nearly year-round in tropical areas. The small clustered flowers open over several weeks and are fragrant in several species. Fruit ripens months later, from summer into winter depending on region.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy-white to greenish

Foliage Description

dark green above, rusty or silvery beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

slow; 10-20 years to mature size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained sandy, rocky, or limestone soils, and tolerates salt spray, wind, and drought once established. Most species are frost-tender and suited to USDA zones 9-11, though a few from the southern United States withstand brief cold to about 15°F (-9°C). Wet, poorly drained soils cause root problems. Growth is slow, and plants are long-lived. The spines on many species complicate maintenance. Few serious pests affect the genus.

Pruning

Pruning is done in late winter or after fruiting to shape plants or remove dead wood, and the spines on many species make the work slow. Plants tolerate cutting back and can be trained as hedges or small trees. Milky latex flows from cut surfaces.