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Bumelia lanuginosa

Common name:	Chittamwood	Family:	Sapotaceae
Author:	(Michx.)Pers.	Botanical references:	11, 82, 200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	South-eastern N. America - Florida to Texas and Mexico.
Habitat:	On sandy beaches and in sandy woods, preferring water courses and washes[43, 82, 181].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	B. laniginosa[E] B. lanuginosa ssp. oblongifolia[B,P] B. lanuginosa ssp. rigida[B,P] B. lanuginosa var. albicans[B,P] B. lanuginosa var. oblongifolia[B,P] B. lanuginosa var. rigida[B,P] B. lanuginosa var. texana[B,P] B. monticola[B,P] B. oblongifolia[B,P] B. rigida[B,P] B. rufa[B,P] B. texana[B,P] Sideroxylon lanuginosum[B,G,P] Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans[B,P] Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. lanuginosum[B,P] Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. oblongifolium[B,P] Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. rigidum[B,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Gum Bully [P,B], Gum Bumelia [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	lanuginosa = downy;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Ebenales. Sapodilla family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Mexico; Us(Kiowa)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 15m. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Canopy, Secondary.

Edible Uses

Fruit; Gum.

Fruit - usually pickled[161, 177]. Not very tasty according to one report[61] whilst another says that large quantities can cause stomach upsets[149]. The fruit is between 1 - 2cm in diameter[200].
A clear viscid gum is obtained from the cut wood[82]. It also exudes freely from wounds on the trunk and branches[227]. The dried and ground up bark is used like chicle as a chewing gum[61, 177].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

Gum; Shelterbelt; Wood.

Wood - heavy, rather soft, not strong, close grained[82, 149]. It weighs about 40lb per cubic foot[227]. Used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[82, 149].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a warm sunny site in any freely draining moderately fertile soil[200]. Tolerates salt spray[82].
This species is probably hardy in the milder areas of the country[1, 11]. Another report says that plants are cut back by temperatures below about -15°c but that they can regenerate freely from the base[200].
The flowers are an excellent source of honey[274].

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.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Bumelia laniginosa (a possible synonym).

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.

References for Sideroxylon lanuginosum (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. lanuginosum (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. oblongifolium (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. rigidum (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for the family Sapotaceae.

[CHINA] Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[43] Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950
A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[82] Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X
Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader.

[149] Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987 ISBN 0-292-78958-3
Fairly readable, it gives details of habitats and some of the uses of trees growing in Texas.

[161] Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[181] Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S. King. Arizona. 1962
Very readable flora but rather lacking botanically. A few notes on useful plants.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[227] Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982 ISBN 0292780206
A readable guide to the area, it contains descriptions of the plants and their habitats with quite a bit of information on plant uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.