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

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□

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.

Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.

Vouchered In:

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

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.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). White indigoberry [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Randacul ). 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.


Hammer, Roger. (2015). Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


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


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


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


Rogers, George. (2016). White Indigo Berry, bob bob bobbin' along [in] Treasure Coast Natives. ( https://treasurecoastnatives.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/white-indigo-berry-bob-bob-bobbin-along/ ). Accessed 2026.


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.

Request an update