Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean
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Introduction
Spanish stopper grows in south Florida on limestone soils in hardwood hammocks as an understory tree, reaching 12 to 20 feet in height. However, it is perfectly adapted to more open, sunny locations where it will flourish with little care once it becomes established. Reddish twigs bear tiny green leaves and berries less than ¼ inch diameter. Several stems arise from the lower part of the tree forming a multiple trunked tree well adapted for many landscapes.
Figure 1. Full Form—Eugenia foetida Spanish stopper
General Information
Scientific name: Eugenia foetida
Pronunciation: yoo-JEE-nee-uh FET-tid-uh
Common name(s): Spanish stopper, boxleaf stopper
Family: Myrtaceae
Plant type: tree
USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: native to Florida, the West Indies, Yucatan, Belize, and Guatemala
UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native
Uses: residential street tree; near a deck or patio; superior hedge; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); medium-sized parking lot islands (100–200 square feet in size); large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size); narrow tree lawns (3–4 feet wide); medium-sized tree lawns (4–6 feet wide); wide tree lawns (> 6 feet wide); recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; screen
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Description
Height: 12 to 20 feet
Spread: 8 to 15 feet
Plant habit: vase shape; oval
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium
Foliage
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 1 to 2 inches
Leaf color: green to dark green on top, yellow green underneath
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Figure 3. Leaf—Eugenia foetida Spanish stopper
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: slightly fragrant; emerges in axillary racemes
Flowering: summer
Figure 4. Flower—Eugenia foetida Spanish stopper
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: 1/3 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy berry
Fruit color: reddish orange, turning brown or black when ripe
Fruit characteristic: suited for human consumption; attracts birds
Fruiting: late summer to winter
Figure 5. Fruit—Eugenia foetida Spanish stopper
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/branches: showy; no thorns
Bark: gray, smooth, sometimes mottled, and exfoliates thin plates that reveal orange inner bark
Soil tolerances: acidic; alkaline; sand; loam; clay; moist but well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Aerosol salt tolerance: high
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
The smooth, brown to grey, mottled bark and tight canopy of fine-textured leaves makes Spanish stopper well suited for planting as a specimen in any yard. Old bark exfoliates showing fresh, smooth orange bark below. It is commonly used as a hedge due to the small leaves and branchiness. Trees can be trained in the nursery to one central trunk or allowed and encouraged to develop multiple trunks. They create shade for a patio or deck, but will not grow to the large, often overpowering size of a large tree such as a fig. They are often used along streets, in highway medians and in parking lots because they adapt to small soil spaces and do not become very large. Street and parking lot trees are often specified to have one trunk to allow for vehicle clearance beneath the crown.
Multiple trunked trees are often specified for specimen planting so the beautiful bark can be displayed. Plants are adapted to most soils from acidic to alkaline.
Once they are established in the landscape, they require little care.
Pest and Diseases
There are no major problems growing this tree.
Reference
Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
