Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Coastal hammocks, dunes, scrub, and pinelands. Often found in dry, sandy areas.
Native State, Country: Southeastern United States, including Florida, and the Bahamas.
Growing Zones: 8b - 11
Size at Maturity: 10-15 feet tall, 5-10 feet wide
Phenology: Semi-evergreen (may lose some leaves in winter)
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Habit: Dense, multi-stemmed, irregular, thicket-forming
Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring (flowers appear before the new leaves)
Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Texture: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including sandy, loamy, and calcareous.
Soil pH: Adaptable
Moisture Requirements: Dry to moist, drought tolerant once established.
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Moderate to high
Keystone Plant: No, but valuable for wildlife
Recommended Landscape Uses: Hedges, screens, wildlife gardens, coastal plantings, informal borders.
Maintenance Tips: Tolerates pruning well, but little maintenance is generally needed.
Considerations: Dioecious (male and female plants are needed for fruit production). Fruits are an important food source for birds, especially during the summer when other fruits are scarce.
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Moderate to high
Erosion Control: Yes, due to its dense growth habit.
Nitrogen Fixing: No
Edible: No (fruits are not palatable for humans)
Pet Safe: No (fruits may cause mild stomach upset in pets)
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: High
Historical Medicinal Uses: No widely known uses.
Florida Native Companion Plant: Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet), Quercus geminata (Sand Live Oak)
Wildlife Benefit: Provides food (fruits) and cover for birds and small mammals.
Caterpillar Host Plant: No
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Length of time Seed is Viable: 1-2 years
Best month to Start Seeds: Spring
Seed treatments: No specific treatments required, but cold stratification may improve germination.