Symplocos tinctoria
sweetleaf
Overview
Symplocos tinctoria is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Symplocaceae, reaching 10-30 feet (3-9 m) tall with a loose, open crown. The alternate leaves are leathery, elliptic, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, with a faintly toothed margin and a sweet taste that draws browsing by deer and livestock, the source of the common names sweetleaf and horse-sugar. In late winter and early spring, before or as the new leaves expand, dense clusters of small creamy-yellow flowers form along the previous year's twigs; they are fragrant and crowded with stamens. The flowers give way to small orange-brown drupes about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long. Foliage turns pale yellow in autumn and, in the warmer parts of its range, persists into winter. S. tinctoria grows in moist woodland, stream banks, and sandy or peaty acidic soils of the southeastern United States. The leaves were once used to make a yellow dye, reflected in the species name. It is slow growing and may become leggy in deep shade, with sparse flowering where light is low.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern United States, from Delaware and Virginia south through Florida and west to Texas and Arkansas, mainly on the coastal plain and lower piedmont. It grows in moist woods, along streams and swamp margins, and on acidic sandy or peaty soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and woodland gardens of the Southeast as an understory shrub along stream banks and in moist, shaded borders. Its early fragrant flowers support emerging native bees, and its foliage is browsed by deer. It suits naturalistic plantings rather than formal settings because of its open habit.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 30'
Width/Spread8' - 15'
Bloom Information
Flowers open in late winter to early spring, roughly March and April, before or as the leaves emerge. The clustered blossoms are fragrant and attract early-season bees. Bloom lasts about two to three weeks and is heaviest on plants receiving some direct sun.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
creamy yellow to whiteFoliage Description
medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 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