Florida rosemary, Sand heath
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Ceratiola ericoides
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Empetraceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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A common element of scrub nearly throughout South Florida. |
Availability: |
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Grown by enthusiasts. |
Description: |
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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: |
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Typically 4-8 feet in height. As broad as tall or sometimes broader. |
Growth Rate: |
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Slow. |
Range: |
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Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties. Extirpated in Miami-Dade County. |
Habitats: |
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Scrub. |
Soils: |
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Dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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Brownish-red to yellowish. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Inconspicuous. |
Flowering Season: |
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Spring-summer. |
Fruit: |
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Small round greenish-yellow or red berry, containing a single seed. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Provides some food and cover for wildlife. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Comments: |
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