White Indigo Berry

Randia aculeata L.

RAND-ee-ah  ah-cuelee-ATE-ah

Rubiaceae

Explanation of name: The genus is named for British gardener, apothecary, and garden director Isaac Rand (died 1743) (AUS). Aculeate means prickly.

Natural range: Coastal South Florida and beyond

Recognition: Dense, semi-thorny, stiff-perky, compact shrub with opposite clustered leaves with stipules between the leaf bases,  small white flowers, and globose fruits white on the outside but almost black on the inside

Landscape uses: slow-growing, dense, perky, stiff shrub with small flowers and white fruits.   Tolerant of salt and of drought.