Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    


Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Rivina humilis L.

Pigeonberry, Rouge plant, Baby peppers

Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed Family)

USDA Symbol: RIHU2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Pigeonberry is a perennial herb about 1 foot tall that grows beneath trees and shrubs. The flowers are about 1/4 inch across, white to pink, growing on the last 2–3 inches of the stems. The fruits are numerous, red and almost translucent, often appearing on the lower part of the stem while the upper part is still blooming. They are a choice food for many kinds of birds. The leaves are 1–3 inches long and wavy on the edges (248).

Pigeonberry appeals to the eye when it blooms pale pink and bears scarlet fruit simultaneously.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Size Notes: Normally no more than 1.5 feet tall, but can exceed 3 feet.
Flower Size: 2-inch flower spikes
Fruit Length: 2-3.5 mm
Fruit Color: red to orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , FL , HI , LA , MS , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Southern North America from Florida to Arizona, north to Oklahoma and Arkansas, south through Central America and the Caribbean to tropical South America
Native Habitat: In moist or alluvial soils in partial shade. Also in hilly chaparral.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), PR(N), VI(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist and well-drained sand, sandy loam, loam, clay, and calcareous soils.
Conditions Comments: Prefers light shade and moist but well drained soil. Without supplemental water in summer, it may go dormant.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Low-growing herb layer plant, decorative fruit and flowers
Use Wildlife: Fruit-birds
Use Other: The red fruits have been used for cosmetics, hence the name Rouge Plant.
Warning: Caution: the fruit and leaves are toxic if ingested.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: Moderately

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Seed and cuttings.
Seed Collection: Collect berries when plump and red. Allow to dry spread out.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate well and grow slowly.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Water during summer drought.
Please support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I have a large live oak (actually several) in my front yard, which basically puts the beds at the foundation of my house in full shade. I tore out the builder-boxwoods and privets, hoping to plant something that would provide some interest. I'm having an awful time getting anything to grow there. Pigeonberries just died. Barbados cherries are spindly with yellowish leaves, beautybush just has 2 or 3 long branches sticking straight up, even the turk's caps look anemic. I've tried snapdragon vine and bleeding hearts and neither took hold. There are also some spindly roses in the bed that survive and flower occasionally. The soil is very rocky and I'm not sure what to do to amend it. Am I watering too much (doubtful) or too little? Should I just build up the edges of the bed and fill it with topsoil? I really want to xeriscape, because I don't want to have to spend every weekend babying my garden. HELP!
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rivina humilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rivina humilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rivina humilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-03-15
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back