• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Prunus myrtifolia

West Indian cherry

Nomenclature

Common Name:

West Indian cherry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Prunus myrtifolia

Family:

Rosaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

25-35 (50) ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brownish-orange

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms fall-winter.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree, edge plant, or part of a clump of trees.

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds

Pollinated by bees.

Primarily dispersed by birds but other animals also eat the fruit.

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammock, pine rockland.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruits are not edible.  Leaves and seeds are poisonous to humans.

General Comments:

Listed as Threatened by the FDACS.