Kendall Farms | Sea Grape

Coccoloba Uvifera

The Sea Grape, native to the sandy seashores of tropical America, usually forms a low shrub but may be a spreading tree (but rarely reaches a height of more than 3m) in height. The Sea Grape is a member of the buckwheat family (family Polygonaceae) which includes mostly herbs, sometimes shrubs or vines, rarely trees, with small flowers in racemes, spike-like clusters, or in heads. Stems commonly have swollen nodes.

The stiff, roundish leaves may measure (20 by 17.5 cm) and have prominent, reddish veins. The attractive appearance of the leaves on the flexuous branches and the resistance of the plant to damage by salt make it valuable as an ornamental for ocean side homes. It can also be readily grown in a pot. It can also tolerate shade.

Blooming Habits

The small white flowers are produced on slender, hanging racemes 10 to 25 cm. The flowers are pollen rich and are great friends of the honey bee.

Fruiting Habits

As many as 40 or 50 fruits may be found on a single cluster, giving the appearance of a bunch of grapes.

The velvety fruits are globose to pear-shaped, about (2 cm), and range from dark purple, to purple, to occasionally off white. The edible pulp surrounds a globular seed with a short sharp point on the top. The pulp is sweetish-acid in flavour and is eaten out of hand or is used to make an excellent jelly.

Sea grape can also produce a very good wine.