Scientific name: Coccoloba pubescens

POWO Status: Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Not Evaluated

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 57.37″ N, 64° 49′ 44.74″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Giant Sea Grape Tree (Coccoloba pubescens)

1. Leaf Behavior
Sea Grape is evergreen, with large, leathery, round leaves, often with prominent red veins and flushed edges in young growth.

• Leaf drop is minimal and gradual, often occurring year-round as older leaves are replaced.
• New leaves appear reddish to bronze, turning deep green with maturity.

Observation Tips:

• Watch for new leaf flushes, especially following rainfall or pruning.
• Track color changes in young leaves as a visual cue for recent growth.

2. Flowering
Flowers are small, white to cream-colored, borne on long, hanging spikes (catkins).

• Flowering typically occurs in the dry-to-wet season transition, around March to May.
• Flowers are fragrant and highly attractive to bees and flies.

Observation Tips:

• Monitor for flower spike emergence, particularly at branch tips.
• Note pollinator activity, often abundant on warm, dry mornings.

3. Fruiting
Produces clusters of round, green fruit that resemble grapes, ripening to purple or reddish-black.

• Fruiting follows flowering by several weeks, with ripe fruit present May to August.
• Fruits are edible and may be used for jelly, wine, or fresh eating.
• Fruit drop and animal interaction (especially birds) are common during peak ripening.

Observation Tips:

• Track fruit color change, especially on lower branches.
• Note wildlife presence, such as birds or crabs feeding beneath fruiting trees.
• Monitor fruit drop and natural seedling germination nearby.

4. Growth Habit
Sea Grape can grow as a large shrub or wide-canopied tree, often wind-sculpted in coastal exposure.

• Mature trees have smooth, peeling bark in shades of red and gray.
• Strongly salt-tolerant and used in dune restoration and erosion control.

5. Seasonal Pattern (St. Croix)

• Jan–Mar: Leaf flushes, occasional old leaf drop
• Mar–May: Flowering
• May–Aug: Fruiting and ripening
• Sep–Dec: Seedling establishment and steady canopy growth