Common Name:

seagrape

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Coccoloba uvifera

Family:

Polygonaceae

Form:

tree

Size:

10-50 ft ft tall by 3-35 ft ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial; moderately long lived (Nelson 2003)

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

green, black

Phenology:

deciduous; blooms predominantly in spring, with fruit ripening by late summer

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Works well as a specimen plant. Its thick, large leaves make it stand out from most other plants in the landscape. Very useful in settings subject to salt spray.

Considerations:

Fast growing, tends to sprawl. Very cold sensitive if planted inland from the coast even in the counties noted as its range. Unless cold is extreme, it will sprout back from the root. May be damaged by hurricanes, but sprouts back quickly. Leaves take a long time to decompose, so plant where leaf litter is not a problem. 

Availability:

Propagation:

layering, seed

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

9B, 10A, 10B, 11

Wildlife:

Birds and other wildlife consume fruit

Nectar plant for Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus), julia (Dryas iulia), Schaus' swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus), the introduced fulvous hairstreak (Electrostrymon angelica), and other butterflies. Attracts bee pollinators.

Native Habitats:

Coastal uplands

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

Fruits are edible with sweet-sour flavor sometimes used to make jams and jellies. It is possible to make wine from the fruits. The resin of the bark has been used in tanning and dyeing. 

General Comments:

can be pruned