FNPS Plant Database

Reynosia septentrionalis

darling plum, red ironwood
  • Photo by: M. Catesbei, natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, ed. 2 (1748-1756) Nat. Hist. Carolina, ed. 2

Nomenclature

Common Name:

darling plum, red ironwood

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Reynosia septentrionalis

Family:

Rhamnaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

8-12 (20) ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow-green

Fruit Color:

black, purple

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms all year (flowers inconspicuous) with peak in spring-summer.

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Screen plant. Specimen shrub or small tree -- you can choose based on how you opt to prune (prune, don't shear).

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -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:

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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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds

Cover and food primarily for birds.

Native Habitats:

Coastal hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruit said to be edible.

General Comments:

Wood is dense (hard).



Listed as Threatened by the FDACS.

FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

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


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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