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Forestiera acuminata
Forestiera acuminata (Michx.) Poir.
Eastern Swamp Privet, Swamp Privet, Texas Privet
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Synonym(s): Forestiera acuminata var. vestita
USDA Symbol: foac
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Eastern Swamp Privet is often shrubby in the wild, but can be grown as a small tree, 25-35 ft. tall. Glossy-green, pointed-oval leaves are arranged in pairs on bright green, new twigs. Older branches are ivory-gray and the trunk has smooth, brownish bark, often covered with lichens and liverworts. Yellow flowers, most showy on male plants, occur in small, axillary clusters on the previous season growth before new leaves develop. The fruit, on female plants is a purple-black, olive-like drupe.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Breeding System: Dioecious
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 35 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , OK , SC , TN , TXNative Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to SC, s. IN, s. IL, MO, s.e. KS & OK
Native Habitat: Lowland woods; swamp forests; rocky edges of streams & ponds
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet soils or standing water.
Conditions Comments: Males and females must be planted together to produce fruit for wildlife. A purely ornamental planting can be established with males alone. Deer and rabbits can injure young plants by browsing.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Forestiera acuminata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Forestiera acuminata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Forestiera acuminata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-19Research By: TWC Staff