Cliftonia
Genus of trees
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cliftonia monophylla, the buck-wheat tree, buckwheat tree or black titi, is a tree native to the southeastern United States. It is the sole species in the genus Cliftonia.
| Cliftonia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Cyrillaceae |
| Genus: | Cliftonia Banks ex C.F.Gaertn. |
| Species: | C. monophylla |
| Binomial name | |
| Cliftonia monophylla (Lam.) Britton | |
 | |
| Natural range of Cliftonia monophylla | |
 | |
| Close-up of natural range of Cliftonia monophylla | |
Description
Cliftonia monophylla is a tree typically reaching a height of 18 feet (5.5 m) (some specimens grow to 45 feet (14 m)) with a crooked, multi-stemmed form.[2] It is an evergreen with dark, shiny, thick leaves and white to pinkish, fragrant flower clusters.[2]
Its fruits are "five winged drupes, yellowish and buckwheat shaped; hence the common name".[2]
Ecology
Cliftonia monophylla attracts pollinators such as honeybees and is also browsed by deer.[3]
Uses
Cliftonia monophylla has no known edible or medicinal uses.[4]
