Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

leatherwood

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Dirca palustris

Family:

Thymelaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

4-6 ft tall by 3-5 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a border plant, foundation plant, or understory shrub in a shady, moist setting.

Considerations:

Can cause serious skin irritation and is somewhat toxic to ingest.
A rare shrub, so may not adapt well into home landscapes.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed. Prefers soils high in organic material.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Insects visit the flowers, but likely the plant does not rely upon them.  Visits apparently opportunistic.  (Williams, 2004).

Native Habitats:

Mesic slope forests, ravines and bluffs.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The common name refers to the pliable twigs.