Florida fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum, Sp. Pl.: 625 (1753))

Family: Verbenaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 625 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Citharexylum

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Caribbean, Panama to N. South America

Description

Florida fiddlewood, scientifically known as Citharexylum spinosum, is a remarkable plant species belonging to the Verbenaceae family. This plant was documented as early as 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, often abbreviated as “L.”

The Florida fiddlewood is native to a broad geographic range extending across the Caribbean, Panama, and stretching into northern South America. This distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various warm, tropical climates.

Characterized by its lush, green foliage and appealing growth habit, the Florida fiddlewood is often sought after for ornamental purposes in landscapes. Its versatile nature and aesthetic appeal make it a favored choice for gardeners and landscapers in suitable climates.

The plant’s significance also extends beyond its aesthetics. Due to its origins and the regions it inhabits, it plays an important role in local ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological balance within its native habitats.

In summary, Citharexylum spinosum, or Florida fiddlewood, stands as a notable member of the Verbenaceae family, recognized for its extensive natural range and its ecological and ornamental value.

Common Names

Eng: florida fiddlewood, spiny fiddlewood, fiddlewood, susanna berry, savannah berry
En: Florida fiddlewood, Fiddlewood, Spiny fiddlewood, Bois carre, Bois cocklet, Bois fidele, Cutlet, Fairy tree, Figbush, Koklet, Pendula, Lady chancellor tree, Susanna Berry, Savannah Berry, Small’s fiddlewood, West Indian fiddlewood
Fi: Karibiantulihelmi

Synonyms

• Citharexylum caudatum (Sw.)
• Citharexylum quadrangulare (Jacq.)
• Citharexylum albicaule (Turcz.)
• Citharexylum subserratum (Sw.)
• Citharexylum spinosum f. subvillosum ((Moldenke) I.E.Méndez)
• Citharexylum villosum (Jacq.)
• Citharexylum pulverulentum (Pers.)
• Citharexylum villosum f. pentandrum (Griseb.)
• Citharexylum fruticosum var. subvillosum (Moldenke)
• Citharexylum teres (Jacq.)
• Colletia tetragona (Brongn.)
• Citharexylum fruticosum f. subvillosum ((Moldenke) Moldenke)
• Citharexylum fruticosum var. villosum ((Jacq.) O.E.Schulz)
• Citharexylum surrectum (Griseb.)
• Citharexylum hybridum (Moldenke)
• Citharexylum fruticosum (L.)
• Citharexylum polystachyum (Turcz.)
• Citharexylum coriaceum (Desf.)
• Citharexylum spinosum f. villosum ((Jacq.) I.E.Méndez)
• Citharexylum tomentosum var. molle (Regel)
• Citharexylum spinosum f. smallii ((Moldenke) I.E.Méndez)
• Citharexylum spinosum f. subserratum ((Sw.) I.E.Méndez)
• Citharexylum villosum f. angustifolium (Griseb.)
• Citharexylum fruticosum var. smallii (Moldenke)
• Citharexylum bahamense (Millsp. ex Britton)
• Citharexylum fruticosum f. bahamense ((Millsp. ex Britton) Moldenke)
• Citharexylum fruticosum var. subserratum ((Sw.) Moldenke)
• Citharexylum pentandrum (Vent.)
• Citharexylum fruticosum f. subserratum ((Sw.) Moldenke)
• Scypharia tetragona ((Brongn.) Miers)
• Citharexylum laevigatum (Hostm. ex Griseb.)
• Citharexylum macrophyllum (Poir.)
• Citharexylum molle (Salisb.)
• Citharexylum cinereum (Moc. & Sessé ex D.Don)
• Citharexylum tomentosum (Poir.)

Distribution

• Bahamas (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by Anthony Le Clézio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Ambreen Gul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 17, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by Birahim fall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by Birahim fall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Sylviane ÉVITA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Armas Nathani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2021 by das koustav (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by josiane riou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 14, 2010 by EOL − Marie Fourdrigniez (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2020 by Fatima El Haskouri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2019 by Yetti Achmad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Armas Nathani (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Díaz Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2020 by Chardey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2021 by V Betar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Sapotiy (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 28, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Díaz Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2020 by laurent Maurice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Sapotiy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Sapotiy (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:322339-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925396)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Citharexylum spinosum L.)

Specifications

Growth