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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.
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Pigeon plums are dioecious, with small flowers that look
something like the one in the photo at right. |
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They are easy to identify by the green thingie (ochrea) where the base of the leaf attaches to the
branch. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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