PlantFiles: Myrsine, Colicwood
Rapanea punctata

Myrsine, Rapanea or Colicwood (Rapanea punctata) is native to the dry coastal scrub, back of coastal dunes, hammocks, pinelands, sandy sites, tropical hammocks and similar natural habitats from coastal central Florida south through the Keys (zones 9a through 11). It also occurs in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Myrsine is great for attracting wildlife. The blackish berries provide food for wildlife, especially birds and small mammals.

Myrsine often grows close to the ocean, especially on the backside of coastal dunes, where they have some protection from direct salt and exposure but not complete protection, often growing with Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto), Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera), Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa), Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba) on occasion and other species found in similar habitats. Myrsine also grows in the tropical hardwood hammocks, dry pinelands inland but near the coast, sandy, sunny sites and thickets, and on dry, sandy ridges of coastal scrub, including Florida Scrub. It likes full, exposed, sunny sites as well as partial or light shade sites.

Myrsine often grows as a shrub or an upright, small tree, up to around 15 or 20 feet (sometimes to 25 or even 30) feet tall. The leaves are oval and rounded.

The black berries are found in clusters just below the leaves. The small white flowers along and between the leaf stalks are common but inconspicuous.

Myrsine is drought and fairly salt-tolerant. It is available in many native plant nurseries in central and southern Florida. It is great for a wildlife garden or public landscaping project. It can be used very well for commercial properties, housing developments and businesses. It is easy to grow.

Myrsine is a great plant for the central and southern Florida landscape. It was once used for purposes by the tribes of Indians that once lived in Florida, especially near the coasts and inland in the southern Everglades such as Everglades National Park in the southern interior tip of Florida, where Myrsine also grows in the hammocks and pinelands, including tropical hardwood hammocks.

It is superb for landscaping and wildlife!

Myrsine can be found in different habitats near coastal areas. You will find it in tropical areas, including Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico. In Florida, myrsine is more common in southern Florida including the Keys.

Myrsine, an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching heights of up to 25'. The narrow crown is made of thin branches. The leaves are 2" to 4" long and 1" to 2" wide and grow near the ends of branches. The leaves have a leathery, shiny, dark green on their upper surfaces. The thick foliage provides good cover for wildlife. Myrsine is called the white tobacco-seasoning tree by Native Americans in Florida. They mixed its leaves with tobacco to stretch their supply.

The edible fruits do not appeal to people, but are a useful songbird food. they are round and dark blue or black. The berries arrive in clusters close to the branch and grow for several inches along the length of the branch.

Myrsine is found to grow in hammocks, pinelands, and shorelines, including dry ridges to wetter areas, but usually close to the ocean.