FNPS Plant Database

Crossopetalum rhacoma

rhacoma, maidenberry
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

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:

Showy Fruits

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Screen plant. Informal hedge. Specimen.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Seed. Scarification improves germination.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime 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.

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Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds

Fruits attract birds.

Native Habitats:

Pine rockland, rockland hammock.

Natural Range in Florida:

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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. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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