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Cressler, Alan

Rivina humilis

Rivina humilis L.

Pigeonberry, Rouge Plant, Baby-peppers, Bloodberry

Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RIHU2

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

Pigeonberry is a perennial herb usually 1-3 feet 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

85 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Usually up to about 3 feet tall, may reach 6 feet.
Fruit: Red to orange, 2-3.5 mm.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , 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.

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: Moderate

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.

Find Seed or Plants

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

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native grasses for East Texas that require no mowing or watering
June 16, 2010
What native grass can I grow in deep East Texas that would require no supplemental watering and no mowing?
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

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.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Naval Air Station Kingsville - Kingsville, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0071 Collected Sept. 12, 1990 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 0118 Collected June 7, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps

2 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-MM-756 Collected 2010-07-25 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Research Literature

Reslit 964 - Potential allelopathic effects of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae) aqueous extract on germination and growth of selected Florida native plants (2005) E. C. Morgan and W. A. Overholt
Reslit 1381 - Effect of ammonia fumes on total chlorophyll and carotenoid content in Rivina humilis Linn (2000) M. V. M. Teresa and C. T. Anitha

This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature

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: 2023-04-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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