Sea-Grape

Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L.

cock-oh-LOBE-ah oov-IF-er-ah

Polygonaceae

Explanation of name: Coccoloba means lobed berry. Uvifera means grape-bearing.

Natural range: Native to Florida and widespread in New World tropics (NE1)

Recognition: Tree or shrub with leaves as broad as long, provided with an ocrea (see family notes).  Dioecious.  Fruits grapelike, edible (on female trees)

Landscape uses: Extremely salt-tolerant, naturally occurring at the land-sea interface, slow-growing, broad, multi-trunked, tough, large shrub or small tree for coastal (or inland) plantings, including urban settings.  Leaves have red veins, and redden in late summer. Sometimes pruned into a large hedge or windbreak. Can be espaliered. NE1, while reporting tolerances to extreme condition, notes substantial growth enhancement by irrigation and fertilization.  Propagated by seed (then sex of offspring uncontrollable), or (for known females) by cuttings, air layers, or grafting (NE1).