The Eugenia Species include the White Stopper, Redberry Stopper, Spanish Stopper, and Red Stopper. Eugenia species are native to Florida, and they are small, erect, and attractive evergreen/shrub trees. These stoppers thrive under different ranges of soils, and their fruits are very enticing to birds, making these stoppers great to grow near a feeder or bird bath.
Types of Eugenia: Myrcianthes fragans
Myrcianthes fragans is the best known of all stoppers, known also as the Simpson Stopper. This stopper is the coldest tolerant tree out of all the stoppers. It has a gorgeous flaking bark, and fragrant white flowers as well as the ripe orange-red berries that follow. Simpson stoppers prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but are very adaptable to any.
Eugenia Foetida
While the Eugenia Foetida (Spanish Stopper) or Spanish stopper is a Florida native small tree or shrub as well. And it is an understory plant in hammocks, typically reaching a height of 12 to 20 feet. This Eugenia tree has a lightly dense crown, spreading round crown. It’s common with multiple trunks and features a smooth, brown to gray mottled bark. And it has reddish twigs. Its leaves are leathery, green, darker above than below. With its attractive bark, small green foliage and colorful berries, has numerous landscape applications. For example. it is ideal as a residential street tree, near a deck or patio, in a small parking lot island; as a hedge along a garden boundary and in a native plant garden.
Eugenia Axillaris
Moreover, one of the Eugenia plant varieties is Eugenia Axillaris (White Stopper). It is a small tree or shrub with a small trunk and branches; also native to Florida. This tree typically grows to 10 to 20 feet in height. And has smooth, pale gray to whitish bark. With an oval to irregular crown of moderate density. Additionally, the leaves are dull dark green, leathery, simple, opposite or sub-opposite, elliptical, and under 2 inches long.
The Eugenia Species: Stoppers
Why are they named STOPPER, you might ask? The Eugenia tree’s name was derived from the use of its leaves to make tea to stop the runs. We also like to think they’re called “stoppers” because they are truly SHOW-STOPPING! Come see them today!
For more information and to find out more on the Eugenia Species, contact us!
