Ernodea or Golden creeper
Ernodea littoralis

The light green groundcover on the right is a trimmed Ernodea in Key West. Naturally, it will stay below two feet.

Fairly common in the Keys and not very commonly found along the coast north of there to Central Florida. Very drought tolerant and must have well drained, moderately fertile soil and full sun. Tolerant of salt air yet not flooding.

The pinkish flowers are scattered and not very noticable, yet the succulent, linnear leaves are golden and make a pleasing, low groundcover. Small orange fruit feed the local birds.

Use in rock gardens or around thatch palms, specimen shrubs or just as a mass. The leaves are sometimes attacked by a beetle and its larva in the fall. This may need some treatment although the plant will grow back on its own without any help.