|
| |
Among the plants native to South Florida, the Keys and the Caribbean are four
species worthy of the highest distinction. These are the stoppers,
flowering and fruiting members of the Myrtle family. They make ideal
landscaping plants; once established, they need little care. They
are dependable bloomers and favored nectar and fruit sources for many animals.
In landscaping, they are multi-functional. Use either as specimen
pieces or background fillers. Define areas, or create visual blocks with
them. Place them so the light filters pleasingly through the foliage,
creating woodland shadows.
Turn a portion of your yard into a wildlife refuge.
Simpson's Stopper Myrcianthes
fragrans.
This small, shrubby tree needs to be used more
often, as everything about it is positive. It blooms regularly throughout
the year with a wonderful aroma. Fragrant eucalyptusy leaves.
Edible, orange seeds. Because it's
evergreen, it's not as messy as oaks and other deciduous trees. At the
latitude of South Florida, it's an optimal choice. At left below is a
Simpson's Stopper in the landscaping here on our site. It's about 12 ft.
high right now, but will get up to 20' or taller. To the right, is a close-up of the flowers on that same
tree.
 |
|
 |
The photo at left shows what a talented, multi-tasking plant the Simpson's
Stopper really is. Like people who are able do two things at once, such
as play the harmonica while juggling three bowling pins, Simpson's Stopper
can flower and fruit at the same time. |
|
|
|
The flowers are a favorite of butterflies
and other nectar-seekers. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The edible fruits have a sweet, citrusy, pine-like flavor.
Legend has it that the fruit, or the bark of these myrtle family trees were
traditionally used to treat diarrhea (thus the name
"stopper"). But, honestly, these reports vary, depending
on which source you use. My feeling is that this is really like
stories of cannibalism in the village on the other side of the mountain.
Everyone has heard the rumors, but no one has ever knowingly spoken with
anyone who has actually made the tea, drunk it, and gotten rid of their
intestinal distress. |
 |
 |
|
Because of its distinct, red, peeling bark, and its
many other positive features, Simpson's Stopper should be placed in a spot
of prominence, such as just outside your picture window, or right in front
of your house, next to the driveway, where you can admire it several times
daily. |
 |
 |
Simpson's Stoppers (along with all of the other stoppers) take trimming
and shaping very well. They can be encouraged to develop into a
canopy tree, or be kept short and tightly rounded. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Its tendency toward multi-stem branching is entrancingly
worth enhancing. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Spanish Stopper Eugenia foetida
Spanish stopper typically grows to 20 feet high. The beauty of it
is that it can be used as either a shrub or a tree. Below left, a
pair of spanish stoppers, about 7 feet high. Below right, a
trimmed-up 15-footer in front of our office.
 |
 |
 |
At left is one, about 15 feet high by 8 feet wide.
Notice what a nice screening plant it makes. |
Red Stopper Eugenia rhombea
Called so because of the color of its new growth. The red stopper tends
to get to 15 feet in height. Its growth habit is a little more open
than the redberry and the spanish stoppers.
 |
New growth reflects the first light of the early morning sky. |
|
Characteristic "drip tip" develops as the leaves get bigger. |
 |
|
With its varied colors, red stopper makes a striking accent
shrub in partly shaded locations. It won't need anything but light
pruning for the first several years.
Place one in a high-visibility area, such as outside your
kitchen window, so you can look at it while you're washing the dishes. |
 |
 |
Alternatively, you may train it to perform as a full, multi-hued, impenetrable screening.
The nudists in the colony on the other side of this barrier are safe from
snoops.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
It has the same axillary flowers as the other stoppers, with
fruits turning black when mature.
Red Stopper makes a good filler shrub. Plant one outside your
bedroom window and when it blooms, its nectar wafting on nocturnal zephyrs
will fill your dreams, causing visions of sugarplums to dance in your
head. Here's one at right, tucked back in the corner. |
 |
 |
Woodland rejuvenators can use groupings of red stopper to
create a forest effect. |
| Below, in 3-gal, at left, and in 7-gal.,
at right, are well-behaved red stoppers. Consider carefully your
planting location. Treat them with the respect and honor they
deserve, and they will be your faithful, life-long friends. |
 |
 |
Redberry Stopper Eugenia confusa
One of the rarest, it tends toward columnar growth. Fragrant flowers,
red berries.
At left below, is a 20-foot tall specimen. This one is more than 30
years old and has never been trimmed. At right is a close-up of the
trunk. The foliage starts at about 12" above the ground.
 |
New growth is an exciting red.
Flowers are sweet, nectar-laden, little honeys that will satisfy your
olfactionary devices. |
Use redberry stoppers and become a Redberry Stopper Seed Source Operative.
White Stopper Eugenia axillaris
|
Forget about straight formal lines in the European
style. This is America. Throw away your hedge clippers.
|
 |
Go, Stoppers, Go!
|
