Nomenclature

Common Name:

Florida bitterbush

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Picramnia pentandra

Family:

Picramniaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

10-15 ft tall by about 5 ft wide.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Useful as a grouped planting or potentially a small specimen tree or large shrub.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Soil pH:

Acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host for the bush sulphur butterfly, Urema dina helios





Attracts generalist pollinators.

Birds eat the seed. 





Dispersal is by birds and gravity.

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammock.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Used as a tonic.

General Comments:

Listed as Endangered by the FDACS.  Please acquire only from reputable sources that have any needed permits.



This has been known to escape outside of its range when cultivated.