Schaefferia frutescens
Enum. Syst. Pl., 10, 33. 1760.
Common names: Florida boxwood yellow wood
Shrubs or trees to 12 m. Stems: twigs not spinescent; short shoots absent. Leaves alternate; petiole present; blade elliptic, ovate, or oblanceolate, 40–60 × 15–30 mm, base attenuate, apex round or broadly obtuse. Pedicels (fruiting) 4–6 mm. Flowers: sepals 0.7 mm; petals oblanceolate, 2.5 mm. Drupes bright red or scarlet, 4–6 mm. Seeds yellow.
Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Hammocks.
Elevation: 0–10 m.
Distribution
Fla., e Mexico, West Indies, Central America, ne South America.
Discussion
In the flora area, Schaefferia frutescens occurs in Miami-Dade and Monroe (Keys only) counties. The bright yellow heartwood is close grained and heavy; it is sometimes used as a substitute for boxwood in engraving.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.