Common Name:

locustberry, Long Key locustberry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Byrsonima lucida

Family:

Malpighiaceae

Form:

shrub

Size:

5-15 (35) ft

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white, pink, red

Fruit Color:

orange

Phenology:

evergreen; blooms late winter - early summer, with fruits ripening late spring-summer

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant where its showy, multi-colored flowers can be seen. Use as a large shrub to small tree.  Works well planted in clusters.

Considerations:

State threatened; purchase only from reputable sources.

Availability:

Propagation:

seed

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Lime Rock, Humus (organic, upland)

Soil pH:

calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

10A, 10B, 11

Wildlife:

Good cover for birds, and birds and other wildlife enjoy the fruit.

Larval host for the Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus). Nectar plant for a variety of butterflies.

Native Habitats:

Pine rockland, rockland hammock

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Flower color varies, which gives the plant a multi-hued array of flowers.