Virginia Tech Dendrology

swamp cyrilla Cyrillaceae Cyrilla racemiflora L. symbol: CYRA
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen or tardily deciduous, leathery, entire margins, obovate or oblong, 2 to 3 1/2 inches long, shiny green above, paler below.
Flower: Small, white occurring in narrow, elongated clusters, 3 to 6 inches long, appearing in early summer.
Fruit: Dry, 2-celled capsule, 1/8 inch long, matures in early fall and persist well into the winter.
Twig: Slender to moderate, smooth, grayish brown, very small buds, and shield-shaped leaf scar with 1 bundle scar.
Bark: Initially smooth and gray-brown, on large stems it can become ridged and spongy.
Form: Small tree up to 30 feet tall, spreading crown, often forming dense, impenetrable thickets.
Looks like: buckwheat tree - summersweet clethra - common sweetleaf - redbay

Additional Range Information: Cyrilla racemiflora is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information