Landscape Uses:
	Accent shrub. Buffer plantings.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
	A rather common element of coastal thickets in the Florida Keys; rare elsewhere.
Availability:
	Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available in Lake Worth at  Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description:
	Medium to large densely-leaved shrub. Bark dark brown striped with light brown. Leaves flat, 1-3 inches or more in length.
Height:
	About 4-8 feet in height. Usually taller than broad.
Growth Rate:
	Slow to moderate.
Range:
	Monroe County Keys north along the east coast to Martin County; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Rare in southeastern Florida outside the Florida Keys. In Broward County, known only from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
Habitats:
	Coastal hammocks.
Soils:
	Moist, well-drained to moderately well-drained limestone or sandy soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
	Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
	Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
	High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.
Drought Tolerance:
	Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
	Full sun.
Flower Color:
	White.
Flower Characteristics:
	Semi-showy.
Flowering Season:
	All year.
Fruit:
	Shiny purplel to black drupe; juicy.
Wildlife and Ecology:
	Nectar plant for Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
	Can be grown from de-pulped seed. Plant in container with 2" or more of soil. Sprinkle soil to just cover the seeds and place in full sun.
Comments:
	It is listed as threatened by the state of Florida.