Coccoloba uvifera
| Sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Coccoloba uvifera |
| Common names | Sea grape; seagrape |
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Genus | Coccoloba |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Growth habit | Evergreen shrub or tree |
| Mature height | About 1–15 m, depending on exposure and site |
| Native climate | Lowland tropical coastal |
| Fruit | Reddish-purple or occasionally off-white, juicy fruit, about 15–20 mm across |
Coccoloba uvifera, commonly called sea grape or seagrape, is an accepted species in the family Polygonaceae.[1][2] It is an evergreen coastal plant whose habit changes markedly with exposure: open seaside plants can remain low and spreading, while sheltered plants in good soil can become trees.[3]
Description[edit | edit source]
Sea grape is associated with sandy seashores, coastal strand, and limestone thickets. In exposed sites it may form a spreading shrub about 1 m tall; in sheltered conditions with fertile soil it can reach about 15 m.[3] This contrast is useful when interpreting nursery plants: a compact habit can reflect exposure and site conditions rather than a separate cultivar or taxon.
The fruit is reddish-purple, or occasionally off-white, juicy, and sub-acid, with a reported diameter of about 15–20 mm.[3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
A fertile, moist, well-drained soil is a good starting point in cultivation. The species also tolerates poor sandy soils, salinity, maritime exposure, and drought after establishment, but those tolerances do not remove the need for reliable moisture during establishment. A preferred soil reaction of about pH 6.5–7.5 is given for productive growth.[3] Coastal sand or limestone-derived ground should drain rapidly; improve water-holding capacity around young plants without creating a permanently wet root zone.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun fits the species' open coastal ecology and is the practical default where water is adequate.[3] Good airflow is useful in a dense coastal shrub or hedge, while sheltered sites can support taller growth. Plants established in exposed maritime positions should be acclimated to strong sun and wind rather than moved abruptly from protected shade.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The native setting is lowland tropical and frost-free, with warm conditions favored for growth. A horticultural temperature range of about 21–26 °C by day is given, with a broader stated tolerance of about 10–32 °C.[3] Keep young plants evenly supplied with water during warm growth, then let irrigation follow cooler or drier growth conditions without allowing container plants to remain cold and saturated. Protect young growth below about −1 °C; established plants may be killed at about −3 °C or lower.[3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed can be sown in containers at about 20 °C. Greenwood cuttings and air layering are also listed propagation methods.[3] The available method description does not establish a storage life, germination time, rooting percentage, or grafting protocol, so fresh seed and vegetative material should be treated as separate propagation trials rather than assigned a guaranteed schedule.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Sea grape is generally dioecious: male and female plants are required when fruit and seed are wanted.[3] A single plant can therefore be a poor basis for judging the species' fruiting potential. Fruiting at about 6–8 years from seed is reported, with timing expected to vary with sex, climate, plant size, and establishment conditions.[3]
Harvest fruit when it has developed its mature color. Reddish-purple fruit is the usual form described, although off-white fruit is also recorded.[3]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
Ripe sea grape fruit is described as edible raw or processed, with juicy, sub-acid flesh.[3] The fruit's color can vary from reddish-purple to off-white, so color alone should not be used to identify a plant or decide that every fruit is at the same stage.
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Coccoloba uvifera fruits at Le Gosier, Guadeloupe — photograph by Hans Hillewaert; CC BY-SA 3.0. File page and license.
- Coccoloba uvifera tree at Puducherry beach — photograph by iMahesh; CC BY-SA 4.0. File page and license.
- Coccoloba uvifera leaf with Aleurodicus dispersus in Guadeloupe — photograph by Gomphide; CC BY-SA 4.0. dispersus-Coccoloba uvifera-Guadeloupe-2022-01.jpg File page and license.