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Native Plant Database

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Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L.

Sea grape, Seagrape, Seaside-grape

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

USDA Symbol: couv

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Seaside-grape or sea grape is an evergreen shrub or small tree with nearly round, red-veined leaves; spikes of whitish flowers; and edible, reddish fruits which hang in grape-like clusters. Seaside-grape branches close to the ground and supports a broad, rounded head. Though usually much shorter, the plant can reach 50 ft. in height.

The Sea Grape is a member of the buckwheat family (family Polygonaceae) which includes mostly herbs, sometimes shrubs or vines, rarely trees, with small flowers in racemes, spike-like clusters, or in heads. Stems commonly have swollen nodes.

 

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: FL , HI
Native Distribution: S. FL
Native Habitat: Coastal hammocks, dunes & beaches
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), PR(N), VI(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Fertile to sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Drought-resistant and hardy in poor soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Fruits are a valuable wildlife food and flowers are important for nectar production.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: One of the easiest methods of propagation is ground layering. Score bark on a branch situation close to the ground and mound soil over it. The branch will develop roots and can be cut from the plant in 4-6 months.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

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

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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