Coccoloba uvifera

• Botanical Name : Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L.
• Synonyms : Polygonum uvifera L.
• Common Name : Sea Grape, Bay Grape
• Plant Family : Polygonaceae
• Plant Form : Shrub
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Coccoloba uvifera Plant :

• Habit : A shrub.
• Stem :
  • The stem has a smooth, pale gray bark that exfoliates in thin plates.
  • Later it becomes distinctively mottled over time with whitish, gray and brown colors while retaining its smooth texture.
  • Nodes possess a gray or brown membranous sheath called ochreate stipules.
• Leaves : Large, simple, alternate, almostcircular, broad, leathery, evergreen with distinctive red veins, leaves green but turn red when fall.
• Inflorescence : Racemes
• Flowers :
  • White in colour, unisexuals with both male and female flowers on the different plants.
  • Male flowers have 8 white stamens united at the base and a rudimentary whitish pistil.
  • Female flowers possess stamens that are smaller than those of the male flowers but are non functional.
  • The larger pistil has a 1-celled ovary and 3 spreading styles.
  • Fruits : Elliptic or egg-shaped, fleshy, Green when young, gradually ripen to a purplish colour.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : May - July
• Significance :
  • An ornamental shrub.
  • The reddish fruits of the sea grape are very tasty and may be eaten raw, cooked into jellies and jams, or fermented into sea grape wine. 
  • Sea grape wine may also be fermented into sea grape vinegar, which is also useful in cooking.
  • The wood of the sea grape is sometimes used for firewood, making charcoal and even cabinetry.