Cliftonia monophylla (Lam.) Britton ex Sarg.

Buckwheat Tree; Black Titi

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Black Titi is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Titi family (Cyrillaceae). It is found in the southern third of Alabama. Black Titi often forms thickets along blackwater streams and in bogs. It is multi-stemmed, and may reach a height of twenty five feet. Black Titi has alternate, simple, leathery leaves. The leaves are dark green and shiny above and lighter green or whitish below. The flowers are produced in early spring. Flowers are arranged in upright racemes at the ends of the branches. Each flower has five white petals and bright orange anthers. The flowers are fragrant and an important nectar source for bees. The fruit is a five winged drupe that resembles the fruit of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), giving this plant an alternate common name of Buckwheat Tree. Black Titi is easily cultivated in southern Alabama. It prefers moist sandy soil in full sun. Black Titi is rarely available from native plant nurseries. A selection known as “Chipola Pink’, with pink flowers is sometimes available.--A. Diamond.

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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