Lancewood is a fast growing, highly drought tolerant Florida native with fragrant white flower clusters that bloom in late winter to spring. It is a medium evergreen tree or can be trained as a shrub. The bark is gray when young and then turns to a reddish-brown as it matures. The fruit attracts birds and squirrels.
How to care for Lancewood
Light. Grows in full sun to light shade.
Water. Water regularly while it establishes. After that it is highly drought tolerant and needs no extra water.
Soil and feeding. It wants moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soil with some organic matter. It grows best with some organic matter and may languish in very poor soil.
Size. Usually 10 ft or more, growing moderately fast. In hammocks lancewood reaches 20–30 ft and can be as broad as tall.
Problems to watch. It does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Good to know. A South Florida native hammock tree. It takes moderate salt wind but not direct salt spray. The leaves smell aromatic when crushed, and the small fruits feed wildlife.
Sources: Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Nectandra coriacea
