Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Florida hobblebush, pipewood, agarista

Synonym(s):

Leucothoe populifolia

Genus species:

Agarista populifolia

Family:

Ericaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

5-15 ft tall by 5-8 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms early- to mid-spring.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant, foundation planting, screen.

Considerations:

Old stems should be pruned. Plant tends to sucker, so plant where suckers are an asset.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Seed or cuttings.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

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

-|----|----|------- <------------> -------|----|----|

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8B,9A

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds, Mammals

Attracts bees and butterflies.

Some birds and other wildlife consume fruit.  Foliage is poisonous.

Native Habitats:

Seepage areas, moist hammocks, swamps, river floodplains

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Toxic  to humans. and some animals.