Fiddlewood
Citharexylum spinosum

Found along the coast from the Upper Keys to Brevard county. Usually an arching, medium size shrub yet may become a 30 foot tree in protected inland sites. The reddish brown to gray bark becomes furrowed with age.

Very tolerant of salt air yet is wind sheared along the coast. Ocassionally attacked by moth larva which shred the leaves. These caterpillars become food for wildlife and the plant always grows back.

Small dioecious white flowers occur on thin drooping spikes and give off a sweet fragrance. The pea sized berries turn golden when ripe and become dried and black before falling; so no messy berries. Birds eat the fruit and butterflies visit the flowers. The fruit is sweet and edible to humans.

When planted inland, use as a small 12 foot tree with a single trunk or prune to make bushy. Can even by planted close to the doorway to provide fragrance as you come and go.

One of the most drought tolerant trees that establishes very quickly in average to dry soil. Looks nice coming out of a mass of saw palmetto and beauty berry or mixed with wild lime, firebush, wild coffee, jamaica caper, spanish stopper and other coastal shrubs.

Cut to the ground once a year to keep low.