Coccoloba uviferaSea Grape

“Sanibel Seagrape” Painting by John Montoya

Trainee John Montoya

Seagrape, Coccoloba uvifera, is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Native to coastal beaches throughout tropical America and the Caribbean, including southern Florida.

Photo byJohn Montoya

Coccoloba uvifera

Seagrape is made for the beach as it is wind resistant, moderately tolerant of shade, and tolerant of salt. it is often planted to stabilize beach edges; ………It is the perfect seaside plant for your yard

John Montoya Sanibel

Trees in their native forest habitat typically have one leader or trunk for a couple dozen feet, then trunks divide into several co-dominant stems toward the top and bottom of the tree.

www.natgeocreative.com

Silhouette

John Montoya Sanibel Island 4/14

Regular pruning keeps the canopy neat and free of dead branches. The twisting trunk can grow to 2 feet in diameter. This habit makes Sea Grape a picturesque shade tree.

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Leaves

Leaves are simple and alternate. They are large up to 8 in., almost circular, thick evergreen leaves with prominent veins.

John Montoya 2014 John Montoya 2014

The new young foliage is a beautiful bronze color which is setoff nicely against the dark green, shiny leaves.

Leaves - a colorful show

John Montoya 2014

The leaves frequently turn completely red before they fall in winter.

Leaves - a colorful show

John Montoya 2014

The Bark is tan, flaking off in plates to reveal a grey under layer.

John Montoya 2014

John Montoya 2014

white, fragrant and very small

Sea Grape inflorescences

Flowers occur in terminal and lateral, slender clusters 4-9 in. long. Unisex flower clusters appear similar but occur on separate trees. Individual flowers extend perpendicular from a central stem.

Coccoloba uvifera is a dioecious species; that is, male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, and cross-pollination is necessary for fruit to develop. Photo by John Montoya

Seagrape requires full sun and sandy, well-drained soils. Plants should be well-watered until established and located in a spot where the falling foliage, twigs, bark and fruit will not be a problem.

Cultivation and propagation

John Montoya Sanibel Island 3/14

In late summer it bears green fruit, about ½” dia. in large grape-like clusters. The fruit gradually ripens to a purplish color. Each contains a large pit that constitutes most of the volume of the fruit.

Fruit

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Sea Grape Recipe 2 to 3 quarts of sea grapes8 cups fruit juice from sea grapes8 1/2 cups sugar1/3 cup lime juice

Select ripe and partly ripe sea grapes. Wash and place in large pot, add water to not quite cover the fruit. Bring to a boil and soak until tender. Squeeze juice out by hand or strain through jelly bag, then measure juice.To each 8 cups of juice obtained, add 8 1/2 cups sugar and 1/3 cup lime juice.Cook to 225 degrees, which will take about 27 minutes. When it reaches the jelly stage, skim and pour into sterile jars and seal. Makes eight 1/2 pound jars.

Where there is fruit, there is fruit jelly!

As a Bonsai - Encourage development of a single trunk with regular pruning.

Growing at home

It can be pruned into a loose hedge, screen, or windbreak

John Montoya Edison State College 4/14

Growing for Urban Areas

Trees are tolerant of urban conditions and have performed well as hedges and street trees.

John Montoya

Growing for Urban Areas

Seagrape - Works well with Architecture

Walker Guest house by Paul Rudolph 1950’s Florida Mid-Century Master

www.sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org

Grow a Sea Grape and bring a little of the beach home

Growing at home

Questions?