Florida-Privet

Forestiera segregata (Jacq.) Krug & Urb. 

four-est-ee-AIR-ah seg-rah-GATE-ah

Oleaceae

Explanation of name: Genus honors Charles de Forestier, French naturalist and physician (DAV). Segregata presumably refers to the dioecious (separate male and female) nature of the species.

Natural range: Southeastern U.S., including Florida

Recognition: Native shrub having small, elliptic, opposite leaves minutely dotted on the undersides. [Similar in some ways to Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida) but distinguished by conspicuous lenticels and absence of pungent aroma.]  Flowers yellow-green (sometimes partly purplish), borne along the stem, inconspicuous, with 2 stamens. Fruits resembling tiny black olives. Dioecious.

Landscape uses: A mid sized, more or less deciduous native shrub with broad tolerances and easily grown. Has a somewhat lanky form if not clipped, which this species tolerates well. Salt-tolerant. Fruits on female specimens are bird food.  Propagation by cuttings.  Visited by bees and butterflies.