FNPS Plant Database

Eugenia foetida

Spanish stopper, boxleaf stopper
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Spanish stopper, boxleaf stopper

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Eugenia foetida

Family:

Myrtaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

12-15 (36) ft.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown,black

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers in summer. Fruits ripen in fall.

Noted For:

Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Used as a foundation or hedge plant. Large shrub to small tree. Can also be used as a specimen plant.

Considerations:

Availability:

Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries

Propagation:

De-pulped seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

alkaline

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, Birds, Mammals

Attracts pollinators.

 Birds and other wildlife consume fruit. Provides good cover.

Native Habitats:

Coastal hammocks, hammocks.

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=Eugefoet ). 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.


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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