Pigeon Berry Duranta erecta
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- door-AN-tuh ee-RECK-tuh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
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- 'Alba'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Cuban Gold'
- 'Gol'
- 'Sapphire Showers'
- 'Variegata'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Cuban Gold', 'Gol', 'Sapphire Showers', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Cuban Gold'
- 'Gol'
- 'Sapphire Showers'
- 'Variegata'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Cuban Gold', 'Gol', 'Sapphire Showers', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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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
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- light brown and slightly furrowed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green long vine-like stems
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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
