Floodplain forests, alluvial swamps, riverbanks, alluvial clearings. Infrequent in the Virginia Coastal Plain and Piedmont; rare in the mountains; sometimes locally abundant, especially in swamps of far southeastern Virginia
This plant provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). Hummingbirds and butterflies nectar from the blooms. Songbirds like cedar waxwings, quail, wild turkeys and small mammals eat the fruit. The dense branches provide nesting protection
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
Spines/Thorns
My Native Garden
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