FIDDLEWOOD
Citharexylum spinosum
FAMILY Verbenaceae
SYNONYMS
ADDITIONAL COMMON NAMES
FLORIDA FIDDLEWOOD
SAVANNAH BERRY
SPINY FIDDLEWOOD
SUSANNA BERRY
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See: all Citharexylum
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by M. Ritter, J. Yost
GENERAL INFO
Fiddlewood is a popular shade and street tree around Honolulu and other urban areas throughout Hawai‘i. It thrives in many conditions but seems to do best in drier areas as street trees in leeward areas. The species is dioecious (separate male and female individuals) and only males should be planted so the fruit on females are not dispersed into native forests by birds. The fruit can also be messy. The fruit can be eaten raw, twigs and bark are medicinal, and the wood can be used to make furniture. Citharexylum spinosum has a HPWRA (Hawai‘i Pacific Weed Risk Assessment) score of 7 (High Risk).
Native range: Northern South America and Lesser AntillesHorticultural use: Shade Tree or Street TreeEthnobotanical Info / Tree Use: The essential oil from small tree used in traditional medicine and aroma therapy in Thailand. (Mar & Pripdeevech, 2014) Citations Page
Native range: Northern South America and Lesser AntillesHorticultural use: Shade Tree or Street TreeEthnobotanical Info / Tree Use: The essential oil from small tree used in traditional medicine and aroma therapy in Thailand. (Mar & Pripdeevech, 2014) Citations Page
TREE CHARACTERISTICS
Tree Shape: RoundedMaximum Tree Height: 50 feetCanopy Width: 30 feetGrowth Rate: ~24 in/yearLeaf Arrangement and Leaf Form: Alternate, SimpleLeaf Shape: OvalLeaf color: GreenFall Color: YesFlowers: Showy, FragrantFlower Color: WhiteFlower Time: Spring or SummerFruit: Very Small to Small Orange, Black BerryFruiting time: Fall or SummerFruit Value: Wildlife use itBark Color: Light Brown to Gray, Rough, SmoothLitter Type: Leaves, Wet Fruit, Flowers
SITE CONDITIONS
Recommended Planting Area: Greater than 7'Water Use Rating: HighSunset Climate Zone: H1, H2Shade Tolerance: NoUSDA Hardiness Zone: 10, 11Soil Texture: Loam or Sand or Clay
CONSIDERATIONS
Branch Strength: Weak to Medium WeakRoot Damage Potential: LowWildlife interactions: Attracts birdsUtility Friendly: NoWCISA Appraisal: Suggested LCANT 24" box, Suggested LCANT 24" box, Group Rating 3, Approx. cross sectional area 3.80 sq. in.
External Resources
CITE THIS TREE
"SelecTree. UFEI. "Citharexylum spinosum Tree Record." 1995-2025. Cal
Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. Accessed on Apr 6, 2025."
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1645 >
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1645 >
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