Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean
Introduction
Normally seen as a shrub, fiddlewood can grow to about 35 feet tall in its native habitat in south Florida. The largest known specimen is in Dade County, FL. Leaves are unusually glossy with smooth margins and a distinctive bowed venation pattern. The plant produces several trunks which if left untrained, eventually gives rise to a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Small, white showy flowers produced in the summer months contrast nicely with the shiny foliage. Young plants can be upright and rounded; older specimens develop a rounded vase form with lower branches removed.
Figure 1. Full Form—Citharexylum spinosum: Fiddlewood
General Information
Scientific name: Citharexylum spinosum
Pronunciation: sith-ar-RECKS-sil-lum spy-NO-sum
Common name(s): fiddlewood
Family: Verbenaceae
Plant type: tree
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: native to Florida, the West Indies, and South America
UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native
Uses: reclamation plant; hedge; screen; near a deck or patio; espalier; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); medium-sized parking lot islands (100–200 square feet in size); large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size); recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; screen; border
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Description
Height: 15 to 35 feet
Spread: 8 to 25 feet
Plant habit: oval
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: slow
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: spatulate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 2 to 6 inches
Leaf color: dark green to yellow on top, paler green underneath
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Figure 3. Leaf—Citharexylum spinosum: Fiddlewood
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: flowers in summer months; fragrant; trumpet-shaped, and emerges in clusters on 3-12" long, terminal racemes
Flowering: most abundant in spring, but also year-round
Soil tolerances: acidic; alkaline; sand; loam; clay; moist but well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: low
Aerosol salt tolerance: low
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
Fiddlewood is most useful planted 6 to 8 feet apart as a screen or hedge plant along a property line. Its large size makes it suited for a tall hedge. The canopy on shade-grown plants becomes thin and irregular; those in full sun remain dense and cast deep shade in a small area. Fiddlewood makes a nice patio tree planted in the shade of pines or other tall trees. It will also be useful for planting in parking lot buffer strips, along highways and in other drafty sites receiving little if any irrigation once established.
Fiddlewood is tolerant of sandy, dry soil and adapts to a wide range of soil pH including alkaline. Moderate salt tolerance allows planting near the beach.
Pests and Diseases
Few insects or diseases bother fiddlewood.
Reference
Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
