Cocoplum

Chrysobalanus icaco L.

cry-so-BAL-eh-nus eh-KAH-coe

Chrysobalanaceae

Explanation of name: Chrysobalanus means golden acorn. Ikaku is an Amerindian name for the species.

Natural range: Caribbean and Florida

Recognition: One of the most-cultivated native plants in South Florida. Shrub (to rarely a small tree) with thick, leathery, alternate simple leaves tending to be reddish when young, bent to the top side of the twigs. Flowers creamy white and inconspicuous. Fruit resembling a purple plum.

            Cultivars include the well known ‘Red Tip’ (with especially reddish tips, which is a common feature of tropical plants), and ‘Horizontal’ (PlantFinder).

Landscape uses: Used extensively in South Florida as a dense foundation shrub, also useful for massing and clumps. Very tough, tolerant of pruning, fast-growing, and salt-tolerant (not ‘Red Tip’).

Internet source: http://www.plantcreations.com/chrysobalanus_icaco.htm