Erithalis fruticosa
 
Common Names Black Torch, Pigeon Berry, Parrot Apple
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A rugged, evergreen shrub native to coastal Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, Erithalis fruticosa thrives in dry, sandy, and limestone-rich habitats. Known for its year-round white blooms and dark berries, it offers high wildlife value and exceptional tolerance to salt, drought, and wind. Its upright form and glossy foliage make it ideal for informal hedges, buffer plantings, and restoration in coastal hammocks and pine rocklands.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright shrub to small tree; multi-stemmed; long-lived perennial
Height: Typically 4–8 ft (1.2–2.4 m); can reach 15 ft (4.5 m) in ideal conditions2
Leaves: Opposite; obovate to oblanceolate; leathery; glossy green; clustered near branch tips
Flowers: Small, white, 5-petaled; fragrant; borne in terminal panicles; bloom year-round3
Fruit: Fleshy berries; ripen from white to red to black; edible but mildly astringent3
Ecology: Native to coastal scrub, hammocks, and pine rocklands; attracts birds, butterflies, and pollinators2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy or limestone-based; calcareous; well-drained
Temperature: Subtropical; protect below 40°F (4°C)
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in coastal humidity
Propagation: Seed or cuttings
Tolerance: Salt spray, brackish flooding, wind, pruning.
 
Landscape Use Excellent for coastal buffers, informal hedges, and wildlife gardens. Use in restoration zones or as a specimen in xeric designs. Pairs well with Guapira discolor, Coccoloba diversifolia, and Suriana maritima.