Simpson Stopper
Myrcianthes fragrans
Simpson’s Stopper is found sparingly along the coast from Dade County to Vero Beach. Abundant masses are found along A1A and in inland hammocks from Vero Beach north to St. Johns County.
In the northern part of its range these become up to 20 foot tall shrubs with one inch oval leaves. South at Fern Forest Park, in Broward County, and in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, they become 40 foot or more tall trees with beautiful orange peeling bark and three inch long leaves.
The masses of fragrant white flowers in early summer are followed by bright orange, half inch oval fruit from June to September. These are fought over by local birds and raccoons.
The raccoons break the branches as they pull them down to feed and leave scratches on the bark where they climb. The fruit is sweet and spicy with one to four bitter green seeds inside.
Simpson Stopper grows in average soil, full sun to moderate shade, and has no problem with freezing temperatures or some salt wind. It is moderately fast growing making this a good hedge that fills in quickly, yet needs little maintenance.
Once established it is very drought tolerant. Plant back of the Seagrapes on a dune where only short periods of salt water flooding may occur.
Use as a hedge, specimen tree, mixed with other coastal species or plant in a group in front of a window. The cleaned trunks will frame your view out of the window and with a few well placed lower branches, provide a screen to give you privacy.
This is one of the few native shrubs that is grown extensively commercially. It will last for decades as a clipped hedge and the trunk will stay thin. The only thing it requires is regular watering and fertilizer to establish. If grown in very poor soil, twice a year fertilization may be required.
For a mixed hedge try Simpson Stopper, Spanish Stopper, Jamaica Caper, Florida Boxwood, Myrtle of the River, Wild Coffee, Marlberry, Myrsine, Bitterbush, Crabwood and Locustberry. These are all narrow shrubs that fit together.