Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida)
Common Name Spanish Stopper
Latin Name Eugenia foetida
Family Myrtaceae
Native Yes
Zone 10-11
Height 15-20 feet
Spread 5-8 feet
Salt Water Tolerance Low
Salt Wind Tolerance High
Drought Tolerance Moderate
Soil Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils
Sun Full Sun to light shade
Wildlife Attractant Birds
Main Uses
The Spanish Stopper, native to South Florida, is best used as screening and barrier plants. Its dense foliage provides great cover and privacy when planted along fence lines. We love to use the Spanish Stopper as a filler type small tree alongside accent plants such as the Florida Fiddlewood, American Beautyberry, Myrsine Cubana, and the Satinleaf.
Considered a hard wood, in the wild, the Spanish Stopper can be found in the understory of a tropical hammock.
Appearance
Densely foliated with 1 ½ to 2-inch-long oval leaves, tiny white flowers, slender brown bark, and round black fruit make for the Spanish Stopper’s overall appearance. It can be categorized as a large shrub to small tree reaching 15-20 feet high, while slender in nature with a small spread.
Wildlife Attractant
The fruits of the Spanish Stopper are welcomed and eaten by birds.
