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CoccolobaFamily: Polygonaceae.
| Coccoloba pubescens, Coccoloba uvifera. |
Common name(s): Sea Grape |
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Genus of about 150 species of dioecious trees, shrubs, and climbers, mainly evergreen, from sandy seashores and humid regions of tropical North, Central and South America. Coccoloba is a tropical plant, native to coastal hammocks, coastal scrub, coastal grasslands and beach strands from Argentina north throughout the West Indies and the Florida Keys to Pinellas County on the Gulf Coast and southern Volusia County on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. It will grow in the house but it is more suited to the concervatory. The shiny, evergreen leaves are leathery, rounded with heart-shaped bases, red-veined, and about 8" in diameter. The fragrant white flowers are very small and borne on 6-10" spikes.
Coccoloba unifera is commonly grown in semi-tropical regions but is not often seen indoors. It needs space - grow it in a large tub so that it can show off its leaves. Unusual in the family, this tree species also has small, greenish flowers with a 5-lobed perianth, 8 stamens, and 3 or occasionally 4 styles. The fruits are edible and made into jelly. |
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| Growing conditions |
Watering and misting |
Propagation |
| Keep the plant warm - minimum 60F in winter. Some direct sun is essential. Grow in soil-based potting mix. |
Water moderately from spring to autumn. Water sparingly in winter. Misting is necessary. |
Take softwood stem cuttings in spring. Use a rooting hormone and provide bottom heat. Sow seed at 70 F (21 C) in spring. |
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Copyright © Galka Okhapkina 1998-2024
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