The features of Sea Grape Tree

Sea Grape tree (Coccoloba)

The Sea Grape tree (Coccoloba uvifera) is a resilient and large shrub native to coastal beaches throughout tropical America, ranging from South America to South Florida.

This evergreen shrub or small tree belongs to the Polygonaceae family, growing up to 25 feet in the coastal regions and remaining smaller if planted in a garden 10 feet tall.

You come to the right place to discover more about the Seagrape tree or Coccoloba. In this article, we will provide you with comprehensive information about this plant.

What does a Seagrape tree look like?

1. The Sea Grape tree is a small shrub that can grow up to 8 meters in height, with a 30-60 cm trunk diameter. 
2. It has a smooth and yellowish bark, dark green, glossy, and large leaves. It typically forms a multi-stemmed vase shape if left unpruned. 
3. The flowers of this plant appear at the terminal racemes, which are white and fragrant with eight stamens, ripening to a luscious deep purple in late summer. 
4. Unlike the female tree, male trees do not produce fruit. Reddish purple, green spotted fruits are pear-shaped, 1.5 cm long, and have a single hard seed.
5. The grapes are often used to make delicious jelly and are popular with birds and squirrels. 
6. As it is hard to detect the sex of the tree, you need to buy several sea grapes to increase the chance of pollination.
7. This plant is resistant to wind and salt, making it a famous tree for coastal regions for ornamental purposes and its delicious fruits.

Growing conditions and care of Seagrape tree

• The Sea Grape tree thrives in tropical climates, mainly in coastal hammocks, scrub, grasslands, and beach strands.
• Seagrape tree requires plenty of sunlight, although they can grow in a partial shade area.
• It prefers sandy soil but can adapt to different soil types.
• If your plant grows in a pot, it needs regular watering, but if it grows in a garden, it only requires frequent watering since it grows in tropical regions and gains necessary water via rainfall. 
• The welcomed temperature for seagrape growth ranges over 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and they are sensitive to frost and cold weather, leading to their damage.
• If the region’s soil is low in nutrients, applying a complete fertilizer such as 8-8-8 can compensate for this lack. Otherwise, they can thrive without applying fertilizer.
• Sea grapes are not easily affected by pests, but seagrape borer, as a native moth, can feed on its twigs and branches.

How do we propagate and plant Seagrape trees?

• The Sea Grape tree can be propagated through seeds or cuttings. Seeds can be collected from ripe fruits, cleaned, and dried to transfer into the soil. 
• Germination usually occurs within 3-4 weeks; when their height reaches 6 inches, you can transform them outdoors. 
• Alternatively, semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken from the tree in the early spring and planted in soil high in moist peat moss, potting mix, and moist sand. 
• You can first plant the cuttings in the container and move them outdoors as they become more extensive. Rooting hormone may be used to increase the success rate of cuttings.
• Planting sea grape trees in a pot, you need to move them to a larger container after a period as they grow and their roots get out of the pot. 
• It is recommended to choose a plastic pot for sea grape planting.

Overwintering

When winter comes, place the sea grape tree in an area that exposes it to full sun to prevent massive injuries.

Although they will lose their leaves in cold weather and cannot grow as fast as the rest of the year, they can reproduce their leaves once the temperature rises.

How can sea grape trees be used? 

• Sea grape trees are widely used in landscaping and coastal protection, such as hedges and privacy screens, due to their hardiness and ability to tolerate salt spray.
• Their fruits are also edible and often used for making jams and jellies. Grape trees are native to tropical regions and are cultivated for various purposes.
• The extraction of bark is used for tanning and dyeing. Charcoal and firewood can be made from the woody part of this plant.

The final words

The sea grape tree is a shrub or small-sized tree found mainly in coastal areas such as South America and South Florida.

Pruning sea grape trees makes them stay in a vase-like shape, ideal for featuring landscapes.

They need to get full sunlight planting in sandy soil for maximum growth. We hope reading this article helps you to access valuable information about the sea grape tree.

Have you eaten a jelly made from sea grapefruits?

Is it delicious, as well as other jellies?

Let us know in the comment section about your unique experience.