Botanical Name: Bumelia lanuginosa
Family: Sapotaceae
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales
Genus: Sideroxylon
Species: S. lanuginosum
Common Names: Gum bully, Black haw, Chittamwood, Chittimwood, Shittamwood, False buckthorn, Gum bumelia, Gum elastic, Gum woolybucket, Woolybucket Bumelia, Wooly buckthorn, Wooly bumelia, Ironwood and coma.
Habitat: Bumelia lanuginosa is native to South-eastern N. America – Florida to Texas and Mexico. It grows on sandy beaches and in sandy woods, preferring water courses and washes.
Description:
Bumelia lanuginosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in).Spread: 10.00 to 30.00 feet. It is a throny tree.
It is in flower from July to August, and the color of the flower is white. and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
Cultivation:
Succeeds in a warm sunny site in any freely draining moderately fertile soil. Tolerates salt spray. This species is probably hardy in the milder areas of the country. Another report says that plants are cut back by temperatures below about -15°c but that they can regenerate freely from the base.
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.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Bumelia lanuginosa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
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. 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.
Other Uses:
Wood – heavy, rather soft, not strong, close grained. It weighs about 40lb per cubic foot. Used for tool handles, cabinet making etc.The flowers are an excellent source of honey.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideroxylon_lanuginosum
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Bumelia+lanuginosa
