Casasia clusiifolia

seven-year-apple

Rubiaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

10-12 (25) ft tall by 15 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

yellow, green, black

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms year round.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant, hedge plant. Large shrub to small tree. Large, showy, shiny leaves.

Considerations:

Dioecious (separate male and female plants), so both male and female are required to get fruits.



Mature fruits are not attractive (young fruits are nice looking)

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---- to ---- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host plant for tantalus sphinx ( Aellopus tantalus ) moths.





Nectar plant for mangrove skipper ( Phocides pigmalion ) and other butterflies.

Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals.  Mockingbirds specifically are reported to enjoy the fruits.

Native Habitats:

Coastal hammocks.