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Meet the Natives: Horizontal Cocoplum
This week, we’re highlighting a salt-tolerant cultivar of a well-loved native species: Horizontal cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco).
In the wild, horizontal cocoplum is found as a beach dune ecotype of the cocoplum species. An ecotype is a population that is isolated from other populations of the same species and develops minor adaptations to help it thrive in its unique environment.
Unlike the red tip and green tip cultivars, which were derived from the inland cocoplum ecotype, horizontal cocoplum only grows to about 6 to 10 feet tall (though it can easily be managed to much lower heights). Horizontal cocoplum spreads sideways — hence its common name — rooting at the node along its branches where they touch the ground.
“While these adaptations help it survive in a harsh, ever-changing dune environment, they also make it a great candidate for low-growing hedges,” said SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center Intern Hadas Hacohen. ” Its salt tolerance makes it a great alternative to the red tip or green tip cultivars when it comes to hurricane replantings.”
Horizontal cocoplum will do best in dry, sandy soils and full sun, though it can also grow in part shade. This plant is also a great choice for wildlife and pollinators, with year-round blooms that provide a nectar source and fruits that provide a source of food for birds and other small animals.
In addition to being a source of food for wildlife, its fruits and seeds are edible for humans when ripe. The fruits are typically white or light pink, and occasionally purple.
“Many people report the fruits of the horizontal cocoplum as tasting sweeter than those of the inland ecotype, and like the fruits of the inland ecotype, the fruits are often made into jam,” Hacohen said. “Though the red tip cocoplum cultivar has become a popular choice for planting here in South Florida, consider trying horizontal cocoplum as an alternative — especially if you have dry, sandy soils.”
Learn more and purchase horizontal cocoplum at SCCF’s Native Landscapes & Garden Center at 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL.