Cyrilla racemiflora aka Black Titi

Taxonomy

Genus Cyrilla Family Cyrillaceae Order Ericales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Cyrilla racemiflora, also known as Swamp Cyrilla or Titi, is the sole species in the genus Cyrilla and is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Americas. It can be found from southeastern Texas to southeastern Virginia in the United States, south through the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America to northern Brazil and Venezuela in South America. This evergreen, semi-evergreen or tardily deciduous tree has smooth, cinnamon-colored young bark and flaky mature bark, and can develop into a small tree with contorted stems. It prefers moist to wet well-drained sandy loam high in organic matter in full sun to partial shade, but can tolerate drier sites as long as adequate moisture is provided during dry periods. Showy white clusters of summer flowers and orange-red fall color make Cyrilla racemiflora a nice ornamental tree for the home landscape. It can also form thickets providing cover for wildlife, especially in wet sites. In the upper mountain forests of Puerto Rico, Cyrilla racemiflora is a large dominant tree known as palo colorado ("red tree") because of its reddish-brown bark and wood. Bees produce a dark honey from the flowers.

Common names

Black Titi, He Huckleberry, Leatherwood, Ironwood, Myrtle

How to care for Black Titi

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Black Titi is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Black Titi should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Black Titi loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Black Titi prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Black Titi has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Black Titi’s native range is Southern North America - Virginia to Florida and Texas.

More info:
Wikipedia