Sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) is a native, coastal, broad-leaf evergreen that is common in the uplands of Sanibel. It is native to the Caribbean, South America, and South Florida and can reach 35-50 ft tall.

They occur island-wide on Sanibel and Captiva and in the uplands, but are found only along the mainland coast because they cannot survive frost. These trees are common at the top of the beach ridge zone, which provides some of the natural shade on the island.

“Sea grape trees are very important for dune stabilization and are both salt-tolerant and wind-resistant,” said Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz.

The fruit of sea grape trees is eaten by many native wildlife species and is also used to make local jelly. Honey produced from sea grape blossoms is among the most treasured Florida-produced varieties. 

The dense fallen leaves provide habitat for various vertebrate and invertebrate species, including isopods, eastern narrow-mouthed toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis), and ringneck snakes (Diadophis punctatus). Coastal gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), which live in the uplands along with the sea grapes, often dig their burrows near the base of these trees, which increases burrow stabilization.

Why are sea grape trees a better option than mahoe?

Sanibel has two similar-looking invasive, exotic trees called the seaside mahoe (Thespesia populnea) from Indonesia and other Pacific Islands that reach heights of 32 -50 ft tall, and the mahoe tree, which is also known as sea hibiscus (Talipariti tilieaceum). Both occur all over the island and are equally invasive

“Many people assume that these are also seagrape trees because the leaves and growth patterns are similar,” says Lechowicz. “The leaves are both roundish in shape, with the sea grape being the most circular and the mahoe leaf having two roundish lobes at the leaf base and a point at its apex.”

Seagrape leaves are also very waxy, hard, and rigid, whereas mahoe is shiny on top, textured and dull on the bottom, and flimsy overall. Mahoe trees are also on the City of Sanibel’s prohibited invasive exotic vegetation list, which bans their planting on the island.

“From a native habitat management side, these invasive trees can become an impenetrable wall that shades out most native plants underneath,” he adds. “If left unchecked, they spread out and multiply relatively quickly.”

When they mature, heavy machinery is usually needed to remove them. Herbicide treatments are needed to kill the stump(s), as well as the inevitable seedlings that will sprout months later after sunlight is able to hit the ground. Due to their salt tolerance, they have done relatively well after the storm surges from 2022 to 2024.

“It is recommended that property owners remove these trees and replant with sea grape or other native species,” said Lechowicz.

Please visit our Native Landscapes & Garden Center to find a suitable alternative for your yard.