Sweetleaf is a hardy deciduous shrub or small tree that may grow 20 feet tall. In nature, it can be found in moist bottomland forests, pocosin edges, mesic forests, ridgetop forests, and sandhills. The leaves are alternate with a smooth margin and yellow underside. The leaves are edible and sweet to the taste. In early spring, small, white flowers mature. The small tree produces a 1/2-inch, orange-brown drupe that matures in late summer. Best planted in naturalized areas with access to full to partial sun. Sweetleaf is a host plant for the larvae of the King's hairstreak ( Satyrium kingi ) butterfly. Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Exobasidium symploci causes fungal galls on Symplocos in the spring but does no serious damage to the plant. Seasons of Interest: Blooms: Early spring, spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Late summer
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Simple green alternate leaves with smooth margins and yellow undersides. Some leaves may remain on the tree until springtime.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow
Flower detail
Compact clusters of small, fragrant, cream-colored borne in profusion along the branches of the previous season's growth. Numerous stamens make the blooms particularly showy. In North Carolina, flowers are available from March to May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Orange
Fruit detail
Fruit displays in late summer. In North Carolina, the fruits are available from August to September.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth and grayish brown to green initially. Warty lenticels and shallow pits develop as the tree ages.
Stem detail
A short trunk with an open crown of spreading branches.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central & South East U.S.A
Wildlife value
It also provides nectar for pollinators and supports King's Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi) larvae which feed on the leaf buds and leaves. The adults have one flight from May-July and feed off of nectar from Allegheny chinquapin and sourwood. Adult butterflies enjoy the nectar from the blooms in the spring. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Edibility
The foliage has a sweet taste.
Uses (ethnobotany)
This species is a natural source of alum and has been used as a plant-based mordant for dying fabrics.