Dirca palustrisIndiana Native
Leatherwood

Family:

Thymelaeaceae (Mezereum Family) 2

Genus:

Dirca (Leatherwood Wicopy) 1

Plant Type:

Shrub 462

Growth Forms:

Bushy 162

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 489

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 794

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Early blooming (March-April), small (0.25-0.5" long), pale lemon yellow flowers with long yellow stamens; interesting, but not overly ornamental)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Light green to yellow green summer foliage); Yellow (Bright yellow fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

Brown (smooth, glabrous)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Small, oval drupe that can be green or reddish and is short lasting; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

3-6 feet

Ultimate Spread:

3-6 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium 105

Soil Notes:

Needs to be grown in moist to wet, slightly acidic soils with high organic matter; does not tolerate drought

Range:

New Brunswick and Ontario to Florida and Missouri

Maintenance:

Low 122

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (1-4" long by 0.5-2" wide) are alternate, simple, elliptical to obovate, entire, and pubescent when young. The hairy buds are mostly enclosed by the petiole base. Stems are quite flexible and pliable (thus the common name of "Leatherwood"), aromatic when bruised, and have small, but distinct white lenticels. Older bark is fissured.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Wet Soil Tolerant 102

Additional Information

Dirca palustris is a small, dense, quite rounded, Indiana native shrub with excellent yellow fall coloration. Although it is generally uncommon in the wild, Leatherwood can be found growing naturally and thriving along the ravines of Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, IN. This plant requires rich, moist, acidic soils and should be protected from intense sun. Leatherwood fruits, bark, and roots are poisonous.