Crazy for Coccoloba!

Be It Ever So Humble, the Seagrape Provides More Than Meets the Eye

By Emily de Armas, Coral Gables Garden Club

What native South Florida tree has big leaves, delicious fruit, prized wood, coastal toughness, and surprising medicinal uses? It’s that Seagrape you see growing along our beaches and tucked into inland landscapes! We often forget about the Seagrape – but no longer!

Seagrape, Coccoloba uvifera, is a native flowering tree found throughout South and Central Florida, as well as in parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Its common name refers to its natural beachfront habitat and to the clusters of round, reddish-purple fruit it produces, which resemble (you guessed it) grapes. These fruits are not only edible – they’re delicious, often turned into jellies, preserves, and even fermented into wine. Bees adore its flowers, and Seagrape honey is prized for its rich, floral flavor.

This coastal beauty can grow up to 50-feet tall and spread 30-feet wide, but it’s also remarkably versatile. It thrives in salty air, sandy soils, and even windy conditions, making it a go-to choice for coastal resilience. Yet it grows just as happily inland when given the right conditions. Gardeners often prune it into sculptural tree forms or cultivate it as a dense privacy hedge. Its large, leathery leaves shift from bright green to crimson as they age, adding year-round color and drama to the landscape. 

Thriving in tropical salty air and sandy soil, the Seagrape produces a grape-like fruit that can be used for preserves and even wine

Ecologically, Seagrape is a powerhouse. It stabilizes sand dunes, helps prevent erosion, and creates habitats for native wildlife. It’s a nectar plant for butterflies like the Florida Duskywing and Julia, and its fruit is a favorite of birds, raccoons, and even iguanas. The dense branches provide shelter and shade for small animals and pollinators alike.

And there’s more: this tree is a treasure trove of folk remedies. Nearly every part has been used in traditional medicine, from bark to leaf to fruit, with emerging scientific research supporting many of these time-tested uses. Historically, it’s been used to treat sore throats, digestive issues, and skin conditions. 

Maybe it’s time to take another look at this so-called ordinary tree. The Seagrape is a native gem hiding in plain sight – practical, beautiful, ecologically essential, and yes, perfectly imperfect. Okay, it may drop some leaves, but that just gives us a reason to head into the garden and connect with nature. A little exercise, a little wonder, and a whole lot of Florida charm? Sounds pretty perfect to me.