| Buckthorn bully Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Buckthorn bully |
| Scientific Name: | Sideroxylon lycioides |
| Origin | Southeastern and central United States from Texas to Illinois and Delaware southwards |
| Colors | Initially green turning to purplish black |
| Shapes | Small, glossy, succulent, leathery egg-shaped berries about one-centimeter-long |
| Taste | Sweet to bitter |
| Name | Buckthorn bully |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sideroxylon lycioides |
| Native | Southeastern and central United States from Texas to Illinois and Delaware southwards |
| Common Names | Buckthorn Bumelia, Buckthorn Bully, Buckthorn, Smooth Bumelia, Ironwood, southern-buckthorn, Shittamwood, Coma, Gopherwood Buckthorn, Southern Byckthorn |
| Name in Other Languages | English: buckthorn bully, buckthorn bumelia, Coma, Gopherwood Buckthorn, Southern Byckthorn French: acoma faux-lycia, arganier à feuilles de saule, bois laiteux du Mississippi German: nordamerikanisches Eisenholz |
| Plant Growth Habit | Small to medium-sized evergreen to deciduous tree or large shrub |
| Growing Climates | Moist areas along streams and ponds, along fence lines, around the edges of pastures and glades, on floodplains, floodplain forests, edges of swamps, hammocks, rocky bluffs, maritime forests, maritime scrub, river bluffs |
| Soil | Prefers well-drained soils but is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils |
| Plant Size | 15 to 20 feet, but occasionally can reach up to 30 feet |
| Stem | Stems are not armed or armed, glabrous |
| Bark | Bark is gray to reddish brown and scaly on older stems and the trunk |
| Leaf | Alternate, petiolate, elliptic to ovate or oblanceolate in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are glabrous or glabrate on the surface with prominent venation and the midrib is pubescent with white hairs. The leaves are deciduous and turn pale yellow before falling |
| Flowering season | August to September |
| Pollinators |
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| Flower | Inconspicuous, tiny, white to greenish flowers consist of five stamens and five white to yellowish or greenish petals |
| Fruit Shape & Size | Small, glossy, succulent, leathery egg-shaped berries about one-centimeter-long |
| Fruit Color | Initially green turning to purplish black |
| Seed | Seeds are 6.5-9 mm |
| Taste | Sweet to bitter |
| Season | October to November |
Plant Description
Buckthorn bully is a large shrub or small to medium-sized evergreen to deciduous tree that is renowned for its resilience and capacity to withstand a wide range of environmental circumstances. Typically, the plant attains a vertical dimension of 15 to 20 feet; however, under optimal conditions, it may occasionally transcend 30 feet in height. The plant is observed flourishing in moist environments such as along streams and ponds, fence lines, pasture and glade margins, floodplains, swamp edges, hammocks, rocky bluffs, maritime forests, maritime scrub, and river bluffs. Although it prefers well-drained soils, the plant can thrive in clay, calcareous, and loamy soils, among others. It becomes drought-tolerant and requires minimal irrigation once established. While it prefers full sun, the plant can also survive in moderate shade. Prior to the onset of new growth in late winter or early spring, pruning is required.
Although lacking substantial ornamental value, it is occasionally incorporated into native plant landscaping on account of its adaptability and provision of habitat for wildlife. It is not regarded as problematic or invasive. Identification can be challenging in Florida due to the similar appearance of tiny individuals to large plants of S. reclinatum. When a plant is very young, such as a stem or leaf, it may have a moderate to limited covering of white, appressed, silky hairs. These hairs shed rapidly as the new growth matures.
Pruning
Prior to the onset of new growth in late winter or early spring, pruning is required. To achieve the desired tree shape and eliminate any dead or damaged branches, employ pruning shears or loppers that are clean and pointed. To encourage healthy regrowth, always make incisions at a 45-degree angle just above a bud or branch.
Stem
The rough bark and frequently thorny stems contribute to the plant’s robust appearance. When a tree matures, its smooth outer bark transforms into scaly, broken bark that sheds to reveal its crimson inner bark.
Twig
Present are slender spur shoots, yellow-green buds that range in shape from dome to conical, and circular leaf scars that, when fractured, release a milky sap. Twigs frequently bear robust, unbranched barbs measuring 1 inch in length at each leaf scar.
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Leaves
The simple, alternate, evergreen leaves have entire margins and are petiolate, elliptic to ovate or oblanceolate in shape. The leaf surfaces are glabrous or glabrate, featuring prominent venation. The midrib of the leaf is pubescent and adorned with white filaments. The upper surface is lustrous green, while the underside is paler in color. Before collapsing, the deciduous leaves transform into a pale yellow hue. They are complete, wedge-shaped at both apexes, and when fractured, release a milky sap. Their typical length ranges from 1 to 3 inches.
Flowers
In the leaf axils, hemispherical clusters containing 7–40 individual blossoms are produced. The inconspicuous, tiny, white to greenish flowers consist of five stamens and five white to yellowish or greenish petals. Optimal blooming periods are early summer and spring.
Fruits
Followed by fertile flowers are tiny, egg-shaped berries that are glossy. They are succulent, leathery, one-centimeter-long fruits that ripen during the autumn. As they mature, their initial green hue transforms into red and then purplish black. There are 1-2 brownish seeds present.
Safety
There is a lack of substantial evidence suggesting that Buckthorn bully is toxic or venomous to canines, felines, or humans. However, if not handled with caution, the barbs on the stems may cause puncture wounds, thereby posing a physical hazard.
Pests and Problems
Buckthorn bully exhibits a relatively low susceptibility to prevalent pests and problems. Nevertheless, similar to numerous plant species, it is susceptible to susceptibility to general parasites, including scale insects (Coccoidea) and borers (of various families). Consuming the tree’s sap or wood, these parasites can cause the plant to become weakened and more vulnerable to environmental stressors and diseases. Consistent surveillance and upkeep of plant health constitute the most effective safeguards against these potential challenges.
Interesting Facts
- Buckthorn bully contributes to biodiversity, stabilizes soil, and provides sustenance and habitat for wildlife.
- Wild-harvested plants are utilized locally for wood and sustenance purposes.
- The plant’s fruits can be consumed raw or processed into preserves and jellies.
- Although fruit pulp is thin, it is edible and squirrels and birds ingest it.
- Livestock consume the foliage of the plant.
- Deer are known to consume branches.
- Upon breaking, the leaves and stems will exude a milky fluid.
- The stems of the plant bear thorns.
- The plant does not possess an invasive or problematic nature.
- For optimal results, plant Buckthorn bully in early spring or autumn.
- It functions as a larval host for butterflies.
References:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sideroxylon-lycioides/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideroxylon_lycioides
https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SILY
https://apg.pir.sa.gov.au/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=317880
https://luirig.altervista.org/schedenam/fnam.php?taxon=Sideroxylon+lycioides
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sideroxylon+lycioides
https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/BUMLY
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=505220#null