FNPS Plant Database

Miconia bicolor

Florida tetrazygia, West Indian-lilac, Florida clover ash

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Florida tetrazygia, West Indian-lilac, Florida clover ash

Synonym(s):

Tetrazygia bicolor

Genus species:

Miconia bicolor

Family:

Melastomataceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

10-30 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms late spring into summer.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. Grown for its showy flowers and shiny dark green leaves with white underside. Also works for screen (hedge) and foundation planting.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seed, de-pulped.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

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

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, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Slightly acidic

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

Insect pollinated, largely by bees.

Fruits used by birds.  

Native Habitats:

Pine rockland, tropical rockland hammock. Disturbed areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Edible fruits.

General Comments:

Threatened in the State of Florida.  Please acquire plants from reputable sources with any needed permits.

Citations:

https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/tetbica.pdf https://www.jstor.org/stable/43821678?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents



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

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