Practical
Plants

Bumelia lanuginosa

Chittamwood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Bumelia genus in the family Sapotaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Bumelia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
15 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - usually pickled[4][5]. Not very tasty according to one report[11] whilst another says that large quantities can cause stomach upsets[3]. The fruit is between 1 - 2cm in diameter[7]. A clear viscid gum is obtained from the cut wood[12]. It also exudes freely from wounds on the trunk and branches[8]. The dried and ground up bark is used like chicle as a chewing gum[11][5].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Gum

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - heavy, rather soft, not strong, close grained[12][3]. It weighs about 40lb per cubic foot[8]. Used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[12][3].

Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Windbreak

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - Florida to Texas and Mexico.
Habitat
On sandy beaches and in sandy woods, preferring water courses and washes[10][12][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no details on this species but would suggest that if ripe seed can be obtained it should be sown straight away in a cold greenhouse. Stored seed can be sown in late winter or early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a warm sunny site in any freely draining moderately fertile soil[7]. Tolerates salt spray[12]. This species is probably hardy in the milder areas of the country[1][2]. Another report says that plants are cut back by temperatures below about -15°c but that they can regenerate freely from the base[7]. The flowers are an excellent source of honey[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  6. Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S. King. Arizona. 1962-00-00

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  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩1↩2

  9. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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  10. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  12. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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