Slow growing; hard, strong wood. This tree has an erect form with a single trunk and a spreading crown. Specimen tree. Understory tree in mesic woods , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, None. , Wildlife, Birds, bats and small mammals use as habitat. Seeds predominatly eaten by squirrels and other rodents. , Habitat, Moist to moderately dry hammocks of north to north-central Florida. , Did You Know?, Fall color Attracts  bees but may also be self-fertile.

May be semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants which makes it challenging to grow. Best planted near a potential host such as an oak. May die back , 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 , Considertions, Has thorns. , Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife will eat the fruit. , Habitat, Scrub, xeric hammocks, swamps. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Thorns Attracts pollinators, especially bees.  Documented bees in clude Agapostemon splendens, Augochloropsis sumptuosa,

There are two subspecies in Florida with somewhat different but overlapping distributions. Culture and uses in the landscape are similar. It is best t , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, River floodplains. Low roadsides. Low pastures. Usually seen in late winter/spring after rains. Can show up at other times with the right pattern , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts pollinators.