FNPS Plant Database
Crossopetalum rhacoma
rhacoma, maidenberry
Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Nomenclature
Common Name:
rhacoma, maidenberry
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Crossopetalum rhacoma
Family:
Celastraceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
shrub
Size:
1.5-6 (10) ft tall by 3-8 ft wide
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
green
Fruit Color:
red
Phenology:
evergreen; blooms and fruits all year
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Screen plant. Informal hedge. Specimen.
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Seed. Scarification improves germination.
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry
-|----|----|----|----|----|----|----
<------------------------>
Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation)
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, Rock
Soil pH:
calcareous (high pH)
Suitable to Grow In:
10A, 10B, 11
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.
Ecology
Wildlife:
Fruits attract birds.
Native Habitats:
Pine rockland, rockland hammock.
Natural Range in Florida:
Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Listed as Threatened in Florida. Please acquire from reputable sources.
Citations:
Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. 1999. Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.
Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida , Gainesville.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants. https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ , accessed 2025. Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
