FNPS Plant Database

Coccoloba uvifera

seagrape
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

seagrape

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Coccoloba uvifera

Family:

Polygonaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

Shrub

Size:

10–50 ft ft tall by 3–35 ft ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

green, black

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms predominantly in spring, fruit ripens by late summer. Moderately long lived (Nelson 2003)

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Fall Color, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

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:

Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Layering, seed.

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

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds, Mammals

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

Birds and other wildlife consume fruit.

Native Habitats:

Coastal uplands

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

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.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Seagrape. Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Coccuvif ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, FL.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Watkins, John, and Thomas Sheehan. (1975). Florida Landscape Plants, Native and Exotic. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


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, FL.

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