Sea Grape
Cocoloba uvifera
{Species
Archive Index}
photo by © Annisa Karim, Univ. of FL.
Height- to 50 feet
Identifiers- large (3-10") thick leathery, kidney shaped
leaves
Fruit- edible grape-like clusters, purple when
ripe
Status- common Florida coastal tree
Distribution- Florida, Central/South America, Bahamas, West
Indies
Habitat- coastal fore dunes
Fun facts
- growth often pruned by wind and salt spray (salt shear)
- berries used to make jellies and wine
- resinous sap once exported for use in tanning and dyeing industry
- thought to be one of the first plants Christopher Columbus saw in the new
world
{Species
Archive Index} |
