Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Euphorbiales>Euphorbiaceae>Ditrysinia fruticosa (Bartram) Govaerts & Frodin

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Also known as Sebastiania fruticosa (sometimes misspelled Sebastiana), this medium-sized shrub of shady riverine forests is rare in the southern Coastal Plain of North Carolina. These photos show Sebastian-bush in full bloom.

Lumber River State Park, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Another former scientific name, as in the Radford manual, is Sebastiania ligustrina.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

The simple, entire leaves are alternate and have reddish petioles.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

The petioles exude a milky sap when broken, like other members of the Euphorbiaceae.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa) flowers

Yellowish racemes of flowers appear in late spring.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa) flowers

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)

Bark detail.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Gulf Sebastian-bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa) bark

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

More information:
Dave's Garden
Shirley Denton
USDA PLANTS Database

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