Pigeon Plum   Coccoloba diversifolia

In the way of marginally interesting information of limited practical value, pigeon plum is a member of the diverse buckwheat family Polygonaceae (yes, the same buckwheat that is cultivated for flour).  Just like in any family, some of its members are respectable elements making economic contributions, and some are short-lived weeds, with no commercial use, and unknown ecological importance. 

Our pigeon plum is, of course, one of the more stalwart, reputable constituents of the family, and with its cousin, sea grape Coccoloba uvifera, is found throughout southern to central Florida, the northern extreme of its Caribbean range.

Naturally appearing in coastal hammocks, pigeon plum is a small- to medium-sized tree, eventually getting up to 35 feet or so high.   

Once established, it requires little maintenance, and is great for use as a canopy tree, as a street tree, or mixed in with other plants for screening. 

Pigeon plums are dioecious, with small flowers that look something like the one in the photo at right.
	They are easy to identify by the green thingie (ochrea) where the base of the leaf attaches to the branch.
Plant some pigeon plums in with your native mix, for some dynamic screening. Being a well-behaved tree, it is commonly used in parking lots, where its shade provides relief from the reflected heat of the asphalt.  The photo below shows just such a pigeon plum.  This one is about 18' high, and 18' wide, an eye-pleasing, green globe that reduces the glare off the pink building behind it.
	In the photo above is a sea plum Coccoloba uvifera x diversifolia, which is a hybrid of sea grape and pigeon plum.  It makes a very nice specimen tree, or can be used as screening, especially in windy coastal spots with salty air.
We've got the pigeon plums in 3-gal. corralled so they don't blow over (at right, about 6' high).   Below left, in 10-gal., about 8' high.  Below right, in 25-gal., 10'+ high.

Last updated:  01/22/2008