Blacktorch
Erithalis fruticosa
Rubiaceae


Landscape Uses:

Accent shrub. Buffer plantings.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

A rather common element of coastal thickets in the Florida Keys; rare elsewhere.
Availability:
Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available in Lake Worth at  Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description:
Medium to large densely-leaved shrub. Bark dark brown striped with light brown. Leaves flat, 1-3 inches or more in length.
Height:
About 4-8 feet in height. Usually taller than broad.
Growth Rate:
Slow to moderate.
Range:
Monroe County Keys north along the east coast to Martin County; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Rare in southeastern Florida outside the Florida Keys. In Broward County, known only from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
Habitats:
Coastal hammocks.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained to moderately well-drained limestone or sandy soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
White.
Flower Characteristics:
Semi-showy.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Shiny purplel to black drupe; juicy.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Nectar plant for Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from de-pulped seed. Plant in container with 2" or more of soil. Sprinkle soil to just cover the seeds and place in full sun.
Comments:
It is listed as threatened by the state of Florida.


Roger L. Hammer
James Johnson, 2014
In habitat, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park,
Monroe County, Florida
George D. Gann, 2013
in habitat, Everglades National Park, Key Largo, Florida
George D. Gann, 2013
in habitat, Everglades National Park, Key Largo, Florida
Shirley Denton