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fiddlewood

Scientific Name: Citharexylum

Family: Verbenaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spp.)

Fiddlewood refers to plants within the genus Citharexylum, which belongs to the verbena family, Verbenaceae. These plants can range from shrubs to trees.

Considerations for Pets

  • While the text mentions fruit production, stating "only kids eat the fruit, lots of seed, sparse on pulp", it doesn't specify edibility or toxicity for animals.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that "only kids eat the fruit, lots of seed, sparse on pulp." This may warrant further investigation into the edibility of the fruit for children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Citharexylum spp.
  • Family: Verbenaceae
  • Common Names: Fiddlewood, Florida Fiddlewood, Balsamo, Long-Tom.
  • Synonyms: Citharexylum bahamense, C. fruticosum, C. spinosum
  • The genus name citharexylum comes from the Greek words "kithara" (lyre) and "xylon" (wood), referring to the historical use of its timber.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Fiddlewood is native to South Florida and the West Indies.
  • It occurs naturally in southern Florida and is widely cultivated within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones.
  • It can be found growing in coastal sand just back of the dune.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Fiddlewood is normally seen as a shrub but can grow to about 40 feet tall in its native habitat.
  • It is a drought-tolerant shrub or medium-sized tree.
  • It has glossy green leaves and white flowers.

Ecological Role

  • Fiddlewood is a nectar plant for butterflies.
  • It is sometimes defoliated when planted in groups.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Aconophora compressa, a sap-sucking bug, can affect fiddlewood trees. This bug was introduced to control lantana in southeastern regions.

Quirky Facts

  • The name Fiddlewood comes from the use of the tree's timber to create musical instruments such as lyres and fiddles.

Additional Information

  • The text references a report titled "Fiddlewood. (Citharexylum spinosum). An Alien Plant Report" prepared by Forest Starr, Kim Martz and Lloyd Loope of the United States Geological Survey Biological.