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Marcus, Joseph A.

Chiococca alba

Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc.

Snowberry, West Indian Milkberry, David's Milkberry, Cahinca, West Indian Snowberry, Milkberry

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

Synonym(s): Chiococca racemosa, Lonicera alba

USDA Symbol: chal8

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

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Scrambling, vine-like shrub that may reach about 25 feet in height with support. Commonly reaches 10 feet in height with support.
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch
Fruit: White 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Blooms throughout the year in its frost-free native range.

Distribution

USA: FL , TX
Native Distribution: Peninsular Florida and southernmost Texas south to tropical South America
Native Habitat: Thickets, chaparral, palm groves, & brush country

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy. Moist, well-drained.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Fruits ornamental, Long-blooming, Ground cover
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Cover
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Miami Blue
(Cyclargus thomasi)

Adult Food Source

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Softwood Cuttings
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: For a thick groundcover, water during dry months.

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-07-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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