Landscape Uses:
	Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also an accent shrub.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
Availability:
	Widely available in central Florida. Commonly available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in South Florida.
Description:
	Medium shrub with stiff, dark green leaves.
Height:
	About 4-8 feet in height. Colonial, forming large masses from underground stems (rhizomes).
Growth Rate:
	Slow.
Range:
	Eastern and southeastern United States west to Texas and south to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland.
Habitats:
	Wet pinelands.
Soils:
	Wet to moist, moderately well-drained sandy soils, with or without humus, acid pH.
Nutritional Requirements:
	Low to moderate; it can grow in nutrient poor soils or soils with some organic content.
Salt Water Tolerance:
	Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
	Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
	Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
	Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
	White.
Flower Characteristics:
	Inconspicuous. Dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants.
Flowering Season:
	Winter-spring; peak in spring.
Fruit:
	Round black drupe. Often persistent throughout the winter.
Wildlife and Ecology:
	Provides significant food and cover for wildlife. Attracts bees and fly pollinators.
Horticultural Notes:
	Can be grown from de-pulped seed after the fruit is fully ripe. Clean and plant right away; the seeds do not store well. Plant in a container with at least 2" of soil. Sprinkle soil to just cover the seeds. Place in full sun.
Comments:
	See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.