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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.

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Tetrazygia bicolor (Florida clover ash)
Cressler, Alan

Tetrazygia bicolor

Tetrazygia bicolor (Mill.) Cogn.

Florida Clover Ash, Spanish Leather, Florida Tetrazygia, West Indian Lilac

Melastomataceae (Melastome Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: TEBI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I)

Florida state-listed Threatened species.

 

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub , Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Usually 10 to 15 feet, may reach 30 feet in height.
Leaf: Glossy, dark green adaxially, silvery abaxially, 4 to 8 inches long.
Fruit: Fruit is brownish purple when mature.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Flowers are white, sometimes pale pink, with showy yellow stamens.

Distribution

USA: FL
Native Distribution: South Florida and the West Indies.
Native Habitat: Rock pinelands, scrublands and hammocks.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: Medium , High
Heat Tolerant: yes

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Excellent, coarse-textured accent or hedge plant.
Use Wildlife: Birds and small mammals eat the fruit.
Use Food: The fruit is edible and tasty.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2016-07-08
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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