Dirca palustris

Common Names

Leatherwood

Summary

Dirca palustris, commonly known as Eastern Leatherwood, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America with slender, jointed, highly flexible twigs and tough gray-brown bark. It typically grows 3–6 feet tall, with alternate leaves 5–10 cm long and 3.5–7 cm wide that are woolly when young but become hairless with age. The inflorescence is a stalked cluster of two to three pale yellow flowers, each 7–10 mm long, with sepals fused into a funnel-shaped tube and no petals; eight exserted stamens with orange anthers surround a style that exceeds the stamens. Flowers appear in early spring before the leaves, followed by green to purple drupes about 6–12 mm long. Foliage turns yellow in fall. It grows in moist woods, wooded bluffs along rivers and creeks, and shaded dune slopes across eastern North America and is slow-growing and long-lived. Prefers moist to wet, rich soils in partial shade to shade and is slow-growing but long-lived, making it suitable for woodland or shade gardens and naturalized landscapes. In cultivation it benefits from consistent moisture and protection from harsh sun, and it offers early-spring yellow flowers with fruits dispersed by birds and small mammals. Historically, its pliable bark and twigs were used for rope and basketry; leaves and bark can irritate skin, so handling with care is advised. The plant attracts pollinators such as bees and typically requires low-maintenance care when grown in appropriate conditions.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Tolerates a wide range of light, including Full Sun, Full Shade, Partial Sun, and Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter, with a pH roughly 5.0–7.5.

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-7.5, acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Pale yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green foliage with bright yellow fall color

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Suckers

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds