Ernodea littoralis
 
Common Names Golden Creeper, Beach Creeper, Coughbush
 
Zones 9B–11
 
A low-growing, mat-forming shrub native to coastal South Florida and the Caribbean, Ernodea littoralis is a champion of harsh seaside conditions. Its fleshy leaves, reddish stems, and year-round tubular blooms make it a standout in dune stabilization and dry coastal gardens. The golden berries and nectar-rich flowers attract birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while its deep roots bind sand and resist erosion2.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Prostrate to slightly mounding; spreads 3–6+ ft (0.9–1.8 m) wide
Height: Typically 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m)
Leaves: Opposite; fleshy; lanceolate to elliptic; light green; <2 in (5 cm) long
Stems: Woody; reddish; curving branches
Flowers: Tubular; pink to pinkish-white; ½ in (1.2 cm); bloom year-round
Fruit: Round golden drupes; <½ in (1.2 cm); mildly astringent; bird-friendly
Ecology: Native to dunes, coastal hammocks, and pine rocklands; supports pollinators and small wildlife
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to light shade
Watering: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy, calcareous, or rocky; well-drained; pH acidic to alkaline
Temperature: Frost sensitive; protect below 35°F (1.6°C)
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in coastal humidity
Propagation: Cuttings or seed
Tolerance: Salt spray, brief saltwater inundation, pruning, extreme drought2
 
Landscape Use Ideal for dune stabilization, coastal buffers, and low-maintenance groundcover. Use in hot, dry areas where other plants struggle. Pairs well with Suriana maritima, Scaevola taccada, and Ipomoea pes-caprae.