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Duranta erecta

Phonetic Spelling
door-AN-tuh ee-RECK-tuh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Pigeon Berry is an evergreen sprawling shrub or rarely a small tree in the verbena family. It is native to tropical and sub-tropical Americas and there is some debate as to whether it is native to FL and TX.  It is considered invasive on some tropical islands. In its native environment, it is found in rocky or sandy coastal areas with full sun or moister, disturbed sites inland. It grows in a somewhat weeping habit with showy flowers and fruits up to 10-20 feet tall. Mature plants have thorns. The Genus name honors Castore Durante a Papal physician and botanist in Rome. The specific epithet in Latin means upright or erect

The plant grows quickly in well-drained soils in full sun. The showy clusters of flowers are light blue to purple and appear from summer to fall. They are followed by yellow-orange clusters of round fruits in late summer to fall. The fruits can be fatal to dogs and children if eaten but do not harm the birds.

In colder climates, grow this plant as an annual where it will reach 2-4 feet tall rather than the 10-20 feet tall in tropical areas. It can also be grown in containers and brought indoors during cold weather. Pruning is recommended to keep the plant more compact.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for whiteflies. Poisonous 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Cuban Gold'
  • 'Gol'
  • 'Sapphire Showers'
  • 'Variegata'
'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Cuban Gold', 'Gol', 'Sapphire Showers', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#poisonous#salt tolerant#tropical perennials#vibrant#exotic looking#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Cuban Gold'
  • 'Gol'
  • 'Sapphire Showers'
  • 'Variegata'
'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Cuban Gold', 'Gol', 'Sapphire Showers', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#poisonous#salt tolerant#tropical perennials#vibrant#exotic looking#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Duranta
    Species:
    erecta
    Family:
    Verbenaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and sub-tropical Americas
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees and hummingbirds visit the flowers, birds will eat the fruit.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    0.5 in. yellow-orange drupes in late summer to fall hang in long, trailing clusters.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Blue to violet flowers possibly with white edging on 6 in. racemes on new growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate to obovate yellow-green leaves are 1-3 inches long and have serrate margins. Each leaf possesses a thorn on the bottom side along the rachis (stem).
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    light brown and slightly furrowed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green long vine-like stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    If eaten this plant has been known to kill children, pets, and animals
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    isoquinoline, saponin glycoside, hydrocyanic acid
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves