Alternate name: Knockaway, Sugarberry Knockaway, Sandpaper Tree

Family: Boraginaceae, Borage view all from this family

Description Sub-tropical evergreen tree, often with suckers or multiple trunks. Leaves large, black-green, oval with sandpaper texture. Clusters of showy, white blossoms. Bark in older trees reddish, flaking, gnarled, with narrow furrows and peeling scales. Fruits spherical. Drupes edible, orange to yellowish-orange, contain two stones, each with two seeds.

Dimensions Height: 12 m. (40 ft.)
Diameter: 0.3 m. (1 ft.).

Habitat Scrub, shrub & brushlands, Canyons & valleys, Watersides (fresh).

Range Texas.

Discussion Edible by humans, mammals and birds. Lifespan of an Anacua is at least 50 years.

Comments Needs lots of water to get established, but then becomes quite drought-tolerant. Not a true evergreen – it replaces its leaves in early spring. Drought and disease tolerant. Extensive root system provides good erosion control on streambanks and hillsides.

Exposure Preference Partial shade.

Flower March - September; November

Native Distribution C. & s. Texas & e. Mexico

Site Preference Thickets; open forests; palm groves

Soil Preference Well-drained, alkaline soils.

Wildlife Value Blossoms attract honeybees. Fruits attract numerous birds and mammals.