Florida Boxwood
Schaefferia frutescens
Florida Boxwood is endangered and is found only in the upper Florida Keys and southern Dade County near Brickell Hammock. It may reach twenty feet but normally is below ten feet tall. Individual plants are male or female with the female plants producing berries that change from green to yellow to orange and finally bright red. These small BB sized berries are fought over by mockingbirds and shared among small migrating birds.
According to George Gann, from the Center For Regional Conservation, the berries are not poisonous, yet I found them bitter. The related Quailberry and Rhacoma have edible berries.
Florida Boxwood is very drought tolerant once established yet it is not tolerant of salt air or water. Average soil and full sun are best. This is a slow grower that needs little care once up to the desired height and makes a great, light green clipped hedge with two inch narrow leaves. It is a member of the bittersweet family like Quailberry and Rhacoma.
The plants fruit in early fall, which is perfectly timed to provide food for hungry migrating birds. Jamaica Caper, Firebush, Beautyberry, Slash Pine and Simpson Stoppers are also fruiting at this time. Many of our native grasses like Coastal Foxtail, Lopsided Indian Grass, Love Grass, Basketgrass and the Witch Grasses are starting to go to seed, just as the Painted Buntings arrive in early October.
Plant a grouping of Florida Boxwood in order to have male and female plants and mix with other low shrubs. These can be Blackbead, Pineland Strongbark, Pineland Privet, Beach Cocoplum, Firebush, Saw Palmetto, Wild Coffee and Indigo Berry for a drought tolerant mix that can be kept low and rounded and will provide food for your local and migrating birds. Never square your plants!