Native Plants

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Cressler, Alan

Ernodea littoralis

Ernodea littoralis Sw.

Coughbush, Golden Creeper

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

Synonym(s): Ernodea angusta, Ernodea littoralis var. angusta

USDA Symbol: ERLI5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)

A vine-like shrub with a low stem and long, curving branches. The narrow, fleshy leaves are less than an inch long and are glossy green. They appear in clusters on branches growing from prostrate stems. Some of the leaves become partially or completely yellow. Small white and pink flowers are followed by a yellow fruit.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: FL
Native Distribution: S. FL coast
Native Habitat: High beach ridges; pinelands (var. angusta)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Sterile, well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Drought resistant. Requires no special attention.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC			UPL

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.

Bibliography

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

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Research Literature

Reslit 979 - The genus Ernodea (Rubiaceae) in the Caribbean basin .2. Morphological analyses and systematics (1996) V. NegronOrtiz and R. J. Hickey

This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
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Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2018-11-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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