Sea Grape
About this species.
Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) is Florida's iconic coastal native — the species with the big round red-veined leaves that define almost every Gulf-side and barrier-island residential landscape. Salt-tolerant, hurricane-tough, wildlife-friendly, and locally protected in some jurisdictions including Sanibel and parts of Collier County.
Identification
- Extremely distinctive very large 8–10 inch nearly round leathery dark glossy green leaves with prominent red veins radiating from a red petiole — the leaves alone are diagnostic.
- Drooping hanging clusters of grape-like purple ripe edible fruits along the stems (in season).
- Smooth tan-and-cream-mottled bark.
- Multi-trunked sprawling habit.
- Wind-shaped low spreading rounded crown.
- Salt-pruned silhouette on direct beachfront — naturally trimmed by salt aerosol.
Where you'll see them
Direct coastal positions across Southwest Florida — barrier islands (Sanibel, Captiva, Siesta Key, Anna Maria, Manasota Key), beachfront homes, dune backslopes. Inland to about a mile from saltwater in protected microclimates. Salt-spray tolerance is the defining characteristic.
Florida-specific notes
- Locally protected in some jurisdictions — Sanibel has explicit sea-grape protections in its tree ordinance.
- The edible fruits are real fruit — they make a respectable jelly. Wildlife (especially birds) feed heavily on them.
- Tolerates direct salt spray better than nearly any other landscape tree.
- Pruning rarely needed — natural form is the most attractive form. Hard pruning can disrupt the wind-sculpted character.
- Hurricane-tough — sea grape is rarely a storm casualty. The low spreading habit catches less wind than tall single-trunk species.
What to know.
- Permit and supervision required for any pruning, alteration, or removal.
- Trimming the wrong way can constitute a federal-level violation. Document everything.
- High wind-resistance score — one of the better choices for Florida hurricane country.
Frequently asked.
Are the fruits actually edible?
Yes. Ripe sea-grape fruits are edible raw (mildly tart, large seed relative to flesh) and traditionally used for jelly and wine in coastal Florida. The fruits ripen in late summer; wildlife usually beats homeowners to the harvest.
Is sea grape protected?
It depends on jurisdiction. Sanibel has explicit sea-grape protections in its tree ordinance. Some parts of Lee County and the Florida Keys have additional protections. Most other SW Florida jurisdictions don't specifically protect sea grape, but mature specimens often qualify under broader heritage-tree rules.
Can I plant sea grape inland?
Within a mile or so of saltwater, sometimes farther in protected microclimates. Fully inland sites lose the salt-spray adaptation advantage and the plant becomes more vulnerable to cold damage and less competitive against alternatives. Best site: direct coastal lots, dune backslopes, salt-spray neighborhoods.
Services for sea grapes.
The work we do on sea grapes most often. Each card links straight to the service detail.