Long Key Locustberry Care

Byrsonima lucida is a species of plant in the Malpighiaceae family. It is endemic to islands in the Caribbean and to the U.S. state of Florida. It is a shrub or small tree, and produces pink flowers. Its natural habitat is hammocks in dry limestone rocklands, and in sandy pine-palm woods. Common names for the plant include clam cherry, gooseberry, locust berry and Long Key locustberry.

This low, spreading, evergreen shrub has a unique character. In the pinelands of Florida where nutrients are not abundant, it will grow to a height of 1 foot. However, it can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet in the hammocks where soils are richer. The branching habit of the locustberry is quite irregular, and the shrub is often a host to epiphytes. The spring flowers of this plant occur in clusters and change colors with time. These flowers turn from white to pink and from pink to crimson. The beautiful colors of the flowers attract different species of butterflies. The oil glands on the underside of the petals also change color and turn from green to yellow.