FNPS Plant Database

Colubrina elliptica

soldierwood
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

soldierwood

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Colubrina elliptica

Family:

Rhamnaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

10-20 (40) ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow,green

Fruit Color:

orange,red

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms year round.

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Small specimen tree or large shrub. Background edge and screen plantings.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Short 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:

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:

Pollinators, Butterflies

Attracts abundant insects including bees, wasps, butterflies, and diurnal moths. The species is considered a honey plant, furnishing both nectar and pollen to non-native honeybees.

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammock.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Citations:

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


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


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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