Dirca palustrisIndiana NativeIndiana Native
Leatherwood

 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 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:
 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:
 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:
  • Fall Color 238
  • Hedge 277
  • Mass Plantings 288
  • Naturalizing 114
  • Indiana Native 162
  • Poisonous/Toxic 43
  • Slow Growth Rate 272
  • Shade Tolerant 115
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 109

    • 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.

    When Dirca palustris has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    No Fruiting Observations Available

    1 Dirca palustris found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    12013_00755*AHORTPARK

    Other plants like this Dirca palustris (Leatherwood)

    The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

    Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
    © 2026 Purdue UniversityAn equal access/equal opportunity universityCopyright ComplaintsMaintained by Purdue Arboretum Explorer
    Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us