This Florida Native is drought tolerant once established and can be kept as a small tree. Many bird species are fond of their berries and a unique feature about them would be that the bark turns to a rusty orange-brown color and peels as it ages. Once the seed pods mature, they explode making it sound like rounds of musket fire, hence the name soldierwood.
How to care for Soldierwood
Light. Full sun; it also takes light shade.
Water. Water while it gets established; after that it needs no extra water. It handles short dry periods but not flooding.
Soil and feeding. Grows in moist, well-drained limestone or sandy soil, including alkaline soil. It needs some organic matter in the top layer to thrive.
Size. Usually 10–20 ft tall with a spreading, open crown; very old trees can reach about 40 ft. It grows moderately fast.
Good to know. A Florida native of rockland hammocks in the upper Keys, listed as endangered in Florida. Salt wind may burn the leaves, so keep it back from the beach. It blooms all year and draws bees, wasps, butterflies and moths. Use it as a small specimen tree, screen or background planting.
Sources: Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Colubrina elliptica · Florida Native Plant Society: Colubrina elliptica
