White Stopper
Eugenia axillaris (Sw.) Willd.
yew-JEE-nee-uh  ax-uh-LAIR-us

Myrtaceae

Explanation of name: Eugenia honors Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), a French patron of botany. Axillaris refers to the Axillary flowers (HAM).
Natural range: Common and widespread in coastal hammocks. Central and southern peninsula and Everglades Keys (STU, WU2).
Recognition: Bark grayish-white and smooth. Leaves opposite, oval, pointed with short red petioles, dark green, leathery, 1-3” long, with pointed tips. The blades have black dots that are pellucid when held to the light (TAY). Flowers in short racemes, small, white, fragrant.  Petioles and new leaves reddish. Fruits 1-seeded.
Landscape uses: Native species with neat, symmetrical shape. Suitable for borders or for screening narrow areas (HAE). Sun or shade, drought-tolerant.
Propagation: Easy from seeds requiring several weeks to germinate (WOR).

Notes: Leaves of this and other Eugenias were used to stop diarrhea, hence the common name stopper. Edible black fruits are sweet and juicy but become dried out and gall-like and stay on the tree for a long time. Attractive to birds and pollinating insects. Foliage sometimes emits a skunky odor.