General Landscape Uses:
Accent shrub. Informal hedges. Buffer plantings.
Availability:
Native plant nurseries.
Description: Medium shrub dull green leaves.
Dimensions: Typically 3-4 feet in height. Usually as broad as tall.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Range:
Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to Volusia, Lake, Sumpter and Citrus counties; West Indies, Mexico and Central America.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Habitats: Moist forests and swamps.
Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements: Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate to low; requires moist to wet soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements: Light shade.
Flower Color: Green.
Flower Characteristics: Inconspicuous.
Flowering Season: Spring-summer.
Fruit: Red, orange, or yellow drupe.
Wildlife and Ecology: Provides food and cover for wildlife. Birds and other animals eat the fruits.
Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from de-pulped seed. Place seeds on top of soil and sprinkle soil over the seeds to just cover. Place container in light shade.
