Saffron Plum
Sideroxylon celastrinum
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapotaceae
- Genus:
- Sideroxylon
- Species:
- Sideroxylon celastrinum
- USDA Symbol:
- SICE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrocercops sideroxylonella, Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello), Lactura Moth (Lactura pupula), Litodonta hydromeli
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Eucosmophora manilkarae, Lophocampa annulosa, Macaria graphidaria, Parectopa bumeliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from roots and crown following fire; found in fire-maintained brush communities of South Texas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky, limestone areas