This species and other members of the Lauraceae are being attacked by a serious, fatal disease. Do not plant this plant unless you are absolutely sure , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray wo , Considertions, Subject to laural wilt, which is spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle. Do not move dead wood. Allow sprouts from stumps to grow to supply larval food , Wildlife, Fruits eaten and dispersed by birds. , Habitat, Upland hardwood forests, dry mesic hammocks, calcareous hammocks. Sometime associated with wetlands. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage Larval host plant for palamedes swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) and spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) butterflies. Attracts

Wildflower garden. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Seeds eaten by birds , Habitat, Sandhills, flatwoods, ruderal. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts bees and butterflies.

This species is endangered in Florida. Please acquire only through reputable nurserymen. To maintain the genetic integrity of the species, please use , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure t , Habitat, Tropical rockland hammock. , Did You Know?, Interesting bark, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Attracts bees.

Most plants sold as P. obtusifolia are from tropical American stock; local sources are recommended both to protect the genome and to enhance your like , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Swamps (epiphytic on trees/logs). , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage The floral morphology of Peperomia species suggests wind- and/or insect pollination, but not much is known.

Three species occur in Florida. Please plant your local variety. Wildflower garden where it is very showy in late summer/early fall. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Some birds and small mammals consume consume the seeds (https://flawildflowers.org/). , Habitat, Dry flatwoods, sandhill, scrub. This species can be seen at the Starkey Wilderness Preserve in Pasco County. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Larval host for southern dogface (Zerene cesonia). Attracts insects, especially bees.

Fruit is a white berry with indigo pulp. Specimen plant. Shrub border or foundation plant. Will tolerate shearing. Valued for its shiny foliage and d , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray wo , Considertions, Often produces spines at the bases of leaves. , Wildlife, Fruits attract birds. Also used for cover. , Habitat, Edges of coastal hammocks, pine rocklands, rocky flats. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Thorns Nectar plant for Schaus' swallowtail (Heraclides aristodemus) and other butterflies. Larval host plant for

Rare. Listed by the FACS as Threatened.  Please acquire only from reputable dalers with appropriate permits. Screen or buffer plant. Specimen shrub. , Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Provides food and cover for birds small mammals. , Habitat, Coastal hammocks. Pine rocklands. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage