Cliftonia
| Cliftonia | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Cyrillaceae |
| Genus: | Cliftonia Banks ex C.F.Gaertn. |
| Species: | C. monophylla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cliftonia monophylla (Lam.) Britton
| |
| Natural range of Cliftonia monophylla | |
| Close-up of natural range of Cliftonia monophylla | |
Cliftonia monophylla, the buck-wheat tree, buckwheat tree or black titi, is a tree native to the southeastern United States. It is the sole species in the genus Cliftonia.
Description
Cliftonia monophylla is a tree typically reaching a height of 18 feet (5.5 m) (some specimens grow to 45 feet (14 m)) with a crooked, multi-stemmed form.[2] It is an evergreen with dark, shiny, thick leaves and white to pinkish, fragrant flower clusters.[2]
Its fruits are "five winged drupes, yellowish and buckwheat shaped; hence the common name".[2]
Ecology
Cliftonia monophylla attracts pollinators such as honeybees and is also browsed by deer.[3]
Uses
Cliftonia monophylla has no known edible or medicinal uses.[4]
References
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0 - Cliftonia monophylla, Buckwheat-tree". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ a b c "Cliftonia monophylla (Black Titi, Buckwheat Tree, Cliftonia, Ironwood, Titi) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ flawildflowers (2016-03-11). "Black titi". Florida Wildflower Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Cliftonia monophylla Ironwood, Buckwheat tree PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org. Retrieved 2026-01-14.