SafePlants

Cliftonia monophylla: Buckwheat Tree

Cliftonia monophylla, commonly known as buckwheat tree or black titi, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is known to form thickets.
• It has alternate entire dark, shiny, thick leaves that clasp to the stem.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cliftonia monophylla (Lam.) Britton ex Sarg.
• Common Names: Buckwheat tree, Black Titi, Ironwood
• Family: Cyrillaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Synonyms:
  • Cliftonia ligustrina (Willdenow) Sims ex Sprengel
  • Cliftonia nitida C.F. Gaertn.
  • Ptelea monophylla Lam.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the southeastern United States.
• Specifically found in Jefferson County and Marion County within the central and western panhandle of Florida.

Morphological Characteristics

• Evergreen shrub or small tree, growing up to 4 meters (13ft 1in) at a slow rate.
• Often has a short, crooked trunk and many branches, forming a narrow crown.
• Leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, dark, shiny, thick and clasp to the stem, or nearly so.

Quirky Facts

• The genus name Cliftonia is named in honor of William Clifton, the first attorney general of the state of Georgia, USA.
• The plant is described as being carried by only a few, select nurseries.
• Flowers are ordinarily white, but a pink selection is also available.

Additional Information

• It is hardy to zone (UK) 8.
• It is in leaf around January 12th.
• Flowering occurs from April to May.

Further Resources

• Discover Life
• The Plant List
• International Plant Names Index