Tree of the Week: Chittamwood (Bumelia lanuginosa)

It's officially summer today, the longest day of the year. And we have pretty, fragrant summer flowers to appreciate. The chittamwood (Bumelia lanuginosa) is flowering. These are not like the big, showy magnolia flowers. Chittamwood flowers are very, very small, and they are hidden by the leaves of the tree. You must go looking for them.

There are two chittamwood trees in the arboretum, one near the Student Union Building and one near the Fitness Center. The photos below are of the tree located near the Fitness Center. This is a Caddo parish specimen. It was found growing on Jack Price's property near Blanchard. In the spring of 1995, Mr. Price donated the tree to the collection, and it was planted on October 16, 1996. This individual is over 23 years old.

Walking up the hill toward Cline Hall, the chittamwood is on the right. To the left of the sidewalk is a large Nuttall oak (Quercus texana). The Nuttall oak is a year younger and significantly taller than the chittamwood.

The chittamwood is pictured center. From this angle, the tree appears to have a straight trunk.

Photos can be deceiving. From another angle, with the Fitness Center in the background, we can see more of the tree's form. The trunk is noticeably curved and splits at about eye-level.

On the first day of summer we have chittamwood flowers. The tiny, cream-colored flowers appear in pom-pom clusters along the branches. The flowers have a honey-fragrance.

Each pom-pom is less than an inch wide.

This cluster has mostly unopened buds with two opening flowers.

Late morning, a large butterfly was found appreciating the flowers. The butterfly is a red-spotted purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax). You can find more information about the red-spotted purple here.

Another pollinator was also photographed.

The flowers are inconspicuous, hidden by the leaves.

Along the branchlet leaves appear in clusters.

Some leaves appear singly rather than in a cluster.

Leaves measure under 6 inches in length. They are simple and narrow with an elliptic-shape and smooth edges. The top surface is glossy and dark green.

Underneath, the leaves are light-green and feel fuzzy.

Twigs are fuzzy, too. And here we have a good picture of the leaves alternating along the twig.

This specimen has rough, dark, fissured bark. The ridges appear in a crisscross pattern.

You can see additional pictures of the arboretum's chittamwoods here.

For more information about this species consult the following:
United States Department of Agriculture (Bumelia lanuginosa is a synonym of Sideroxylon lanuginosum.)
University of Florida (IFAS Extension)
Texas A&M (Aggie Horticulture)