Tetrazygia

Tetrazygia bicolor (Mill.) Cogn.

tet-ra-ZIE-ge-ah BI-color

Melastomataceae

Explanation of name: “The generic name Tetrazygia is Greek, proposed by the French botanist L. C. Richard, and published by de Candolle in 1828; it refers to the 4-parted flowers of the species known at the time.”  (http://sweetgum.nybg.org/vh/narratives.php?irn=442).  Bicolor means two-toned.

Natural range: Florida (Miami-Dade), West Indies (LON)

Recognition: Shrub having opposite lanceolate leaves with long arcing veins and whitish undersides.  Petals 4-6, narrowed basally, white, having 8 bright yellow stamens.  Fruit a cherry-sized dark purplish berry

Landscape uses: Shrub or small tree on acid site.  Flowers spring to summer, moderately showy. Berries edible and attractive to birds. Reputedly tough to establish with preference for acid site (HAE). Drought tolerant. Propagate by seeds or cuttings (HAE).