General Landscape Uses:
Accent or specimen shrub.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries.
Description: Medium to large shrub or small tree. Leaves temperate deciduous, about 1-3 inches long.
Dimensions: About 10-15 feet in height. Spreading and forming clumps as broad as tall.
Growth Rate: Slow.
Range:
Eastern and central North America west to Kansas and Texas and south to Palm Beach and Lee counties.
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: Hammocks and pinelands.
Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy soils, with humusy top layer, acid pH.
Nutritional Requirements: Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate 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: White with yellowish stamens.
Flower Characteristics: Semi-showy.
Flowering Season: Spring.
Fruit: Whitish to blue-, reddish-, or purplish-black.
Wildlife and Ecology: Provides food and cover for wildlife. Nectar plant for butterflies and other pollinators. Birds and other animals eat the fruits.
Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from de-pulped seed.
