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Florida rosemary, Sand heath
Ceratiola ericoides
Empetraceae
 

Copyright by: George D. Gann

General 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.

Dimensions: 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.

Plant Map Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.

 Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.

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.

References: Schaefer & Tanner 1997


Copyright by: George D. Gann

Copyright by: George D. Gann

Copyright by: George D. Gann

Copyright by: Shirley Denton

Copyright by: Shirley Denton


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