Sea grape
Sea grape or seagrape may refer to:
- C. lentillifera, eaten in Southeast Asia
- C. racemosa
Coccoloba uvifera
Coccoloba uvifera is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae, that is native to coastal beaches throughout tropical America and the Caribbean; including southern Florida, the Bahamas, the Greater and Lesser Antilles and Bermuda. Common names include Seagrape and Baygrape.
In late summer it bears green fruit, about 2 cm (0.79 in) diameter, in large grape-like clusters. The fruit gradually ripen to a purplish color. Each contains a large pit that constitutes most of the volume of the fruit.
Cultivation and propagation
Capable of surviving down to approximately 2 °C, the tree is unable to survive frost. The leaves turn reddish before withering. Its seeds have to be planted immediately, for unlike most plants, they cannot withstand being stored for future planting.
Coccoloba uvifera is wind resistant, moderately tolerant of shade, and highly tolerant of salt, so it is often planted to stabilize beach edges; it is also planted as an ornamental shrub. The fruit is very tasty, and can be used for jam or eaten directly from the tree.
