West Indian Lilac
Tetrazygia bicolor

This shrub occurs in Southern Dade County and will tolerate most conditions through Palm Beach County. Well drained rich to slightly rich organic sandy soil with no limerock is best for this plant. It won't tolerate salt air or flooding and extended drought may cause dieback.

Most plants will grow to 10 feet can be kept lower with yearly pruning. The white and yellow flowers are attractive and the blueberry sized and colored berries are very attractive to birds and not bad tasting.

Remember that limerock will kill this plant because it raises the soil PH above neutral. It naturally grows in decomposed leaf mold which is acid.

The leaves are tropical looking and quilted. Plant near pines and mix with thrinax palms, coontie, beach creeper, wild coffee, lignum vitae, saw palmetto, beauty berry, marlberry, and other pine rockland species and wildflowers.