​White Indigo Berry

​Randia aculeata

• Common Name: White Indigo Berry (other common names: Ink Berry, Steel Wood, Box Briar, Randia Species)
  
• Scientific Name: Randia aculeata
  
• Family Name: Rubiaceae
  
• Origin: native to Florida
  
• Height: 6’ – 10’
  
• Width: 5’ – 8’
  
• Growth: slow
  
• Zone: 10 - 11
  
• Light Needs: Full sun - Part shade
  
• Salt Tolerance: moderate and has a remarkably high salt spray tolerance
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: prefers sandy or rocky soils and will flourish in nutrient poor soils, but need some organic content to thrive, as they drain well, mildly acidic – mildly alkaline (pH 6.1 – 7.8)
  
• Soil Moisture: needs consistently moist soil, do not let it dry out between watering, does not require any supplemental water once established.
  
• Drought Tolerance: high
  
• Pests/Diseases: no major pest or disease problems.
  
• Growing Conditions: easy to grow and low maintenance
  
• Characteristics: this evergreen native shrub has small, spiny, shiny green leathery leaves that are clustered toward the tips of the branches, leaves are opposite/subopposite in arrangement, 2” in length, simple with an entire margin, orbiculate in shape, spines at the base of leaves, and with pinnate venation. Its branching habit is geometric in shape, thin and green branches have thorns. The small, white, axillary flowers produced by this plant are fragrant and occur throughout the year. Showy white fruits with an indigo pulp are produced, oval, .5” – 1” in length and attract birds.
  
• Propagation: by cuttings and de-pulped seeds
  
• Wildlife: attracts birds, nectar plant for Swallowtail butterflies and other butterflies, larval host for Tantalus Sphinx Moths.
  
• Facts: unknown
  
• Designer Considerations: use as a specimen plant, in borders, along foundations, as an accent, and great for beachfront homes or coastal landscapes.

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White Indigo Berry

Location

Native Garden