General Landscape Uses:
Evergreen shrub, screen.
Availability:
Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and central Florida.
Description: Evergreen shrub or small tree to 45 feet. Short trunk branching low to the ground. Elliptical leaves 2-6 inches long.
Dimensions: Typically 30-50 feet in height, as broad or broader than tall.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to the Indian River, Osceola, Highlands, Hardee, and Manatee counties. For a digitized image of Elbert Little's Florida range map, visit the
Exploring Florida website.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Swamps and hammocks
Soils: Moist to dry loamy 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: 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; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements: Light shade.
Flower Color: Creamy white
Flower Characteristics: Semi-showy.
Flowering Season: Early spring.
Fruit: Oval, dark blue to purple drupe, 1/2 inch.
References: Wunderlin and Hansen (
2011), Nelson (
1994)
Comments: We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.
