FNPS Plant Database

Randia aculeata

white indigo berry
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

white indigo berry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Randia aculeata

Family:

Rubiaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

3-10 ft tall by 3-6 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers year round. Life span estimated to be <50 yrs (Nelson 2003).

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Thorns, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. Shrub border or foundation plant. Will tolerate shearing. Valued for its shiny foliage and dense branching.

Considerations:

Often produces spines at the bases of leaves.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Can be grown from de-pulped seed and cuttings. Scatter seeds over soil and barely cover. Place in light shade. Transplant into liners after first true leaves emerge. (IRC)

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Very 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:

Soil 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:

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds

Nectar plant for Schaus' swallowtail ( Heraclides aristodemus ) and other butterflies.





Larval host plant for tantalus sphinx ( Aellopus tantalus ) moths.

Fruits attract birds.





Also used for cover.

Native Habitats:

Edges of coastal hammocks, pine rocklands, rocky flats.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Fruit is a white berry with indigo pulp.

Citations:

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



Hammer, Roger. 2015.  Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies in tropical Florida.  University Presses of Florida.



Huegel, Craig, N.  2010.  Native plant landscaping for Florida wildlife.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (wildlife uses)



Institute for Regional Conservation.  Natives for your neighborhood.  https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Randacul.



Nelson, Gil.  2003.  Florida's Best Landscape Plants. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.



Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A gardener's guide to Florida's native Plants.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.



Treasure Coast Natives.  https://treasurecoastnatives.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/white-indigo-berry-bob-bob-bobbin-along/



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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