Description (growth habits, light requirements & care): Medium shrub with shiny, bright deep-veined leaves. Moderate grower 4-8 feet in height. Often as broad as tall. Enjoys light shade to full shade. Produce more flowers and fruit in partially shady site. They are attractive to a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies. The plants fruits are a favorite of many birds and small wildlife.
How you help by planting this: Provides significant food and cover for wildlife. Nectar plant for Atala, Great Southern White, Julia, Schaus’ Swallowtail, and other butterflies. Birds and other animals ear the fruits. Insects visit the flowers, which provide food for insect-eating birds.
Flower and Fruit (color, characteristics, season):Flowers all year with peak spring-summer. Semi-showy white to greenish-white tubular flowers that grow in 4-5 lobed calyces. Fruits red drupe. Edible.
Pairs well with: Myrsine, Dade Slash Pine, Coontie, Florida Myrsine, Florida Fiddlewood, and Gumbo Limbo for a shady, wildlife-friendly garden.
