Dirca palustris
leatherwood, wicopy

Notes:

Sparse root system slows establishment after transplanting.

Oddly enough, Missouri BG states that full sun actually make the fall color less reliable, which would be a first if true. In any case, full sun may bleach the leaves. Suggest combining with ericaceous plants.

Branches can famously be tied in knots. Fall color variable. No terminal buds(?!).

Fruits and roots are slightly toxic; bark may cause contact dermatitis.

Despite being native, leatherwood is listed by Doug Tallamy as supporting only one species of butterfly/moth larvae.

Sources: Stoecklein, Missouri BG, Dirr, NCSU, UConn.

Tags:

acidic soil preferred
aromatic twigs/bark
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:mammals
clay tolerant
deer resistant
dense canopy
exposure:full shade
exposure:part shade
fall color notable
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
habit:rounded
habit:spreading/wide
habit:upright
long-lived
native:eastern North America
persistence:deciduous
pest/disease free
poisonous
rich soil preferred
roots:coarse/few
sandy soil tolerant
showy flowers
slow-growing
type:broadleaf
use:hedge
use:mass planting
use:naturalizing
water:regular
wet soil tolerant


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