Seagrape
Coccoloba uvifera
- Native to:
- Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © lovebirder (iNaturalist #18220990)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Coccoloba
- Species:
- Coccoloba uvifera
- USDA Symbol:
- COUV
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Artaversala gilvafascia, Florida tussock moth (Halysidota cinctipes), Hexeris enhydris, Ithome curvipunctella, Manoneura basidactyla, Phaedropsis stictigramma, Sarasota plumigerella, Spiny Oak Slug (Euclea delphinii)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Enteucha basidactyla, Enteucha gilvafascia
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal areas, tolerates salt
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Fresh seed germinates best; remove fleshy fruit pulp before sowing. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI