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Cressler, Alan

Coccoloba uvifera

Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L.

Seagrape, Seaside-grape, Sea Grape

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

Synonym(s): Polygonum uvifera

USDA Symbol: couv

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

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 Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 50 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: FL , HI
Native Distribution: S. FL
Native Habitat: Coastal hammocks, dunes & beaches

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.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

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

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2023-05-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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