Jacquinia keyensis
 
Common Names Joewood, Barbasco, Cudjo Wood, Ironwood
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A rare and resilient native of South Florida and the Caribbean, Jacquinia keyensis is a slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree found in coastal hammocks, shell mounds, and rockland thickets. Its leathery leaves, fragrant ivory flowers, and tolerance for salt, wind, and drought make it ideal for restoration and coastal landscapes. Though modest in size, it offers exceptional wildlife value and architectural form.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Dense, rounded shrub or small tree; single or multi-trunked
Height: Typically 4–10 ft (1.2–3 m); rarely exceeds 12 ft in wild conditions
Leaves: Alternate; simple; leathery; elliptic to obovate; margins entire or revolute; apices rounded or notched
Bark: Smooth, light gray; often mottled with lichens in older specimens
Flowers: Small; white to ivory; funnel-shaped; fragrant; borne in terminal racemes; bloom heaviest June–November
Fruit: Berry; ivory to reddish-orange; sticky pulp; attracts birds
Ecology: Supports pollinators and small wildlife; fruit consumed by white-crowned pigeons and other birds; listed as Threatened in Florida due to habitat loss2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to light shade
Watering: Low; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy, loamy, or limestone-based; well-drained; acidic to alkaline; tolerates brackish conditions
Temperature: Hardy to ~27°F (–2.8°C); protect from prolonged frost
Humidity: High tolerance; ideal for coastal humidity
Propagation: Seed or cuttings; seeds must be planted fresh
Tolerance: Salt wind, drought, hurricane winds, brief inundation
 
Landscape Use Ideal for coastal buffers, hammock-edge restoration, and specimen plantings. Use in dry native beds or as a slow-growing accent in limestone gardens. Pairs well with Simarouba glauca, Eugenia foetida, and Guapira discolor.