Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida)

Plant Creations Inc. Nursery  Spanish Stopper Eugenia foetida

Common Name Spanish Stopper

Latin Name Eugenia foetida

Family Myrtaceae

Native Yes

Zone  10-11 

Height 15-20 feet

Spread 5-8 feet

Salt Water Tolerance Low

Salt Wind Tolerance High

Drought Tolerance Moderate

Soil  Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils

Sun Full Sun to light shade

Wildlife Attractant Birds

Main Uses

The Spanish Stopper, native to South Florida, is best used as screening and barrier plants. Its dense foliage provides great cover and privacy when planted along fence lines. We love to use the Spanish Stopper as a filler type small tree alongside accent plants such as the Florida Fiddlewood, American Beautyberry, Myrsine Cubana, and the Satinleaf.

Considered a hard wood, in the wild, the Spanish Stopper can be found in the understory of a tropical hammock.

Appearance

Densely foliated with 1 ½ to 2-inch-long oval leaves, tiny white flowers, slender brown bark, and round black fruit make for the Spanish Stopper’s overall appearance.  It can be categorized as a large shrub to small tree reaching 15-20 feet high, while slender in nature with a small spread.

Wildlife Attractant

The fruits of the Spanish Stopper are welcomed and eaten by birds.

Plant Creations Inc. Nursery  Spanish Stopper Eugenia foetida