Little Strongbark
Bourreria cassinifolia
- Common name: Little strongbark, Smooth strongbark, Pineland strongbark
- Scientific name: Bourreria cassinifolia
- Family name: Boraginaceae
- Origin: South Florida and the West Indies
- Height: 5 to 7 ft
- Width: 4 to 5 ft
- Growth: Medium
- Zone: USDA zones 10b through 11
- Light needs: Full sun
- Salt tolerance: Low
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers moist, organically, and calcareous soils (pH 7.0-8.0)
- Moisture: Prefers moist and humid areas. Soil should be consistently moist.
- Drought tolerance: Can manage short dry periods.
- Pests/Diseases: No pests or diseases of strong concern.
- Growing conditions: Best grown in a sunny, moist area. Although it can manage short droughts, its soil should be moist to ensure it remains in good health. Will not tolerate frost and below-freezing temperatures. Otherwise, it is a very low-maintenance plant which grows well in the Florida landscape.
- Characteristics: This shrub has woody branches and dense foliage. The leaves are small, oval, and often rounded at the edges, growing alternately along the stem. Flowers are small, bright white, and slightly tubular, with five petals, and grow solitary at the ends of twigs. Fruits are small, round, and orange, often growing in clusters of 2 to 4.
- Propagation: By seed or by stem cuttings
- Wildlife: It is a nectar plant for butterflies, moths, bees, and hummingbirds. Berries are a favorite food of the bird species.
- Facts: Is Endangered in Florida, with about half of the surviving populations found in parks and preserves. This is concerning, as this species is very ecologically important, providing species of butterflies, bees, and birds with food. The decline in numbers to habitat loss.
- Designer considerations: With its short stature and dense foliage, it is an excellent choice for shrubs and borders. Its attractiveness to pollinators and birds makes it great for wildflower gardens, where it can add height to the landscape. Little strongbark is an endangered plant and should be considered for its ecological role and conservation status.
Little Strongbark
Location
Native Garden
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