Coccoloba diversifolia, known as pigeonplum or tietongue,[3] is a species of the genus Coccoloba native to coastal areas of the Caribbean, Central America (Belize, Guatemala), southern Mexico, southern Florida (coastal regions from Cape Canaveral to the Florida Keys) and the Bahamas.[4][5][3]
| Coccoloba diversifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Genus: | Coccoloba |
| Species: | C. diversifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Coccoloba diversifolia | |
Description
editPigeonplum is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10 m (rarely to 18 m) tall. The bark is light gray, smooth, and thin but may become scaly on the largest trees. The leaves are 3–13 cm long and 1–7 cm broad, smooth edged, wavy, oval to oblong, rounded or pointed on the ends, leathery, brighter green above and paler below; leaves on young plants and root sprouts are larger than those on mature plants.
The numerous, inconspicuous flowers appear on spikes 1.5–18 cm long in the spring (but last all-year long[1]). The fruit is an achene 6–10 mm long surrounded by a dark purple edible fleshy perianth, ripening in the fall. The tree is unable to survive hard frost. It is resistant to high winds, salt and drought.[4][6][7]
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Illustration by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin
References
edit- ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Coccoloba diversifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T150116662A150116664. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T150116662A150116664.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ a b Florida Institute for Systematic Botany: Coccoloba diversifolia
- ^ a b Flora of North America: Coccoloba diversifolia
- ^ "Coccoloba diversifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Florida Institute for Systematic Botany: Coccoloba diversifolia images
- ^ Bush, C. S.; Morton, J. F. (1969). Native Trees and Plants for Florida Landscaping. Florida Department of Agriculture. pp. 35–36.