Rough Velvetseed
Guettarda scabra
Rough Velvetseed is native to the Florida Keys up to the Miami River. Many are found in the Everglades Park rocklands (Long Pine key) and the areas around Key Largo.
The rough oval leaves are usually four inches long, yet if growing in shade, they may be six inches long and resemble Geiger leaves. It grows as a small tree 15 or more feet tall and can be pruned to become bushy.
The white, star shaped flowers are fragrant and the scattered edible berries are deep red. These have short hairs giving them a fuzzy feel. They are great for birds and other wildlife.
This is a picky tree that needs rich organic soil and will not tolerate salt air or water. Some extra watering may be needed during drought if the plant is not fully established. This may take a couple of years depending on the soil.
A fertilizer for acid loving plants with plenty of micronutrients may be needed if the leaves start turning yellow. Cold tolerance seems to be fine in eastern Palm Beach County.
Use Rough Velvetseed as an addition to a rockland or Keys hammock planting. It can be fit into spaces among other narrow shrubs and trees or used as a specimen in the open.
As an understory tree, try blending with Gumbo Limbo, Wild Tamarind, Pigeon Plum, Willow Bustic, Poisonwood, West Indian Mahogany, Mastic and Live Oak.
Other shrubs or small trees to associate this with include, Spanish Stopper, West Indian Lilac, Myrsine, Marlberry, Wild Coffee, Bahama Wild Coffee, Bahama Strongbark, Snowberry, Coontie, White Stopper, Everglades Velvetseed, Pineland Privet and Pineland Acacia, Saw Palmetto, Mexican Alvaradoa, Redberry Stopper and Red Stopper.