Sideroxylon lanuginosum (formerly Bumelia lanuginosum)
Plant Family: Sapotaceae
Plant Description: Two subspecies. Sideroxylon l. oblongifolium A spiny deciduous shrub or tree to 6 m or higher. Leaves oblanceolate to obovate or elliptic, mostly 3.5-6 cm long. Flowers in kkaxillary clusters, the corolla 5-7 mm long, white to creamy. Fruits 7-13 mm long, purplish black. Frequent on sandy or sometimes clayey soils in pastures, woods, and mottes, blooms April-June. Sideroxylon l. rigidum is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub to 2 m height with leaves as in S. lanuginosum oblongifolium but usually only 2-3 cm long. Flower in dense clusters, the corolla about 3 mm long, white. Known only from brushy pasture east of Calallen on sandy loam. Blooms Dec.-April.
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Plant Genus Key:
Field Identification Traits: Bark is mottled gray to brown with long sharp spines at the end of the twigs.
Plant Uses: Good wildlife plant for food, shelter, and nesting. Fruit is eaten in Mexico and is used as an aphrodisiac. Its heartwood is occasionally used in cabinet work.
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