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Status in Florida: Native

Native Habitat: Coastal hammocks, dunes, scrub, and pinelands. Often found in dry, sandy areas.

Native State, Country: Southeastern United States, including Florida, and the Bahamas.

Growing Zones: 8b - 11

Size at Maturity: 10-15 feet tall, 5-10 feet wide

Phenology: Semi-evergreen (may lose some leaves in winter)

Life Cycle: Perennial

Growth Rate: Moderate

Growth Habit: Dense, multi-stemmed, irregular, thicket-forming

Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring (flowers appear before the new leaves)

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade

Soil Texture: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including sandy, loamy, and calcareous.

Soil pH: Adaptable

Moisture Requirements: Dry to moist, drought tolerant once established.

Tolerance to Salt Spray: Moderate to high

Keystone Plant: No, but valuable for wildlife

Recommended Landscape Uses: Hedges, screens, wildlife gardens, coastal plantings, informal borders.

Maintenance Tips: Tolerates pruning well, but little maintenance is generally needed.

Considerations: Dioecious (male and female plants are needed for fruit production). Fruits are an important food source for birds, especially during the summer when other fruits are scarce.

Hurricane Wind Resistant: Moderate to high

Erosion Control: Yes, due to its dense growth habit.

Nitrogen Fixing: No

Edible: No (fruits are not palatable for humans)

Pet Safe: No (fruits may cause mild stomach upset in pets)

Deer and Rabbit Resistance: High

Historical Medicinal Uses: No widely known uses.

Florida Native Companion Plant: Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet), Quercus geminata (Sand Live Oak)

Wildlife Benefit: Provides food (fruits) and cover for birds and small mammals.

Caterpillar Host Plant: No

Propagation: Seed, cuttings

Length of time Seed is Viable: 1-2 years

Best month to Start Seeds: Spring

Seed treatments: No specific treatments required, but cold stratification may improve germination.

Florida Privet, Forestiera segregata

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