Swamp titi

Cyrilla racemiflora

The swamp titi is a lovely tree that grows in wet areas. It has beautiful white flowers and can provide shade for animals and people alike. It's a special part of the swamp ecosystem!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Swamp titi is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, featuring glossy dark green leaves that may turn crimson in fall. It produces showy, slender clusters of small, fragrant white to cream-colored flowers that hang gracefully.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyCyrillaceaeGenusCyrilla

Swamp titi

Interesting facts

In warmer climates, Swamp titi can keep its green leaves year-round, making it an evergreen tree!

Its common name 'titi' comes from its long, drooping flower clusters, resembling small plumes.

Swamp titi can form dense, almost impenetrable thickets, creating excellent shelter for wetland wildlife.

The wood of the Swamp titi is very hard and dense, historically used for crafting small tools.

Special abilities

Swamp titi can thrive in waterlogged soils and periodically flooded areas, allowing it to dominate challenging wetland habitats.

Swamp titi has the ability to resprout vigorously from its roots after a fire, helping it recover quickly in fire-prone ecosystems.

Swamp titi boasts numerous small, fragrant flowers that attract a diverse array of insect pollinators, ensuring its reproduction.

Measurements & details

Height: 300-900 cm
Spread: 200-600 cm
Flower Size: 5-15 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.

eats

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses on its leaves and tender twigs, especially in winter.

shelters

Green Tree Frog

Hyla cinerea

Often rests among its leaves, blending with the foliage.

shelters

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Forages for insects among its branches.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Cluster Flower

Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.