Florida rosemary, Sand heath
Ceratiola ericoides
Empetraceae


Landscape Uses:

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

A common element of scrub nearly throughout South Florida.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description:
Medium shrub with erect branches forming a large densely-branched mound. Leaves needle-like, 1/2 inch long, dark green and aromatic, with an aroma of a conifer.
Height:
Typically 4-8 feet in height. As broad as tall or sometimes broader.
Growth Rate:
Slow.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties. Extirpated in Miami-Dade County.
Habitats:
Scrub.
Soils:
Dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Brownish-red to yellowish.
Flower Characteristics:
Inconspicuous.
Flowering Season:
Spring-summer.
Fruit:
Small round greenish-yellow or red berry, containing a single seed.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides some food and cover for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:


George D. Gann
George D. Gann
George D. Gann
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton