Joewood
Jacquinia keyensis
Plant Family: Theophrastaceae
Leaves: Alternate, simple, oblanceolate, thick, shiny, to 5 cm, the margins may roll under, the apices may be rounded or notched.
Bark: Light mottled gray, smooth, usually with lichens present, the branches have a crooked appearance.
Flowers: White to cream colored, small, with five petals, in short clusters at the branch ends, quite fragrant; appearing summer into fall.
Fruits: A stalked, rounded, green-yellow berry that ripens to reddish orange, to 1 cm; fall into winter.
Habitat: Coastal thickets of the Keys and also Sanibel Island; not found in other counties of south Florida.
Growth Form: Shrub to small tree.
Key Features: Small thick leaves, crooked branches, and stalked green fruits that turn reddish orange will identify Joewood.
Comments: Joewood is listed as a threatened species in Florida.
