Fever Tree Pinckneya pubens

Fever tree is a short-lived, perennial shrub or small tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It is endemic to the southeastern USA, in Florida, Georgia and southeastern South Carolina. In its native habitat, it is found in swamp forests, edges of boggy areas, bayheads, pitcher plant bogs and moist pine-cypress savannas. The genus name commemorates Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746–1825), American military officer and stateman. The species epithet is Latin for “downy” and refers to the soft, fine hairs that cover the flowers.

Fever tree performs best if it receives several hours of direct sun. It tolerates occasionally wet soil but is not tolerant of drought. It needs a cool, moist root zone, which can be achieved with a layer of mulch.

This species (the only species in the genus) has whitish or pinkish tubular flowers with recurved corolla lobes and pink to red dots and dashes on the interior of the corolla. The flowers are not the showiest part of the inflorescence. Like several of its tropical relatives (e.g., Mussaenda spp.), fever tree produces some flowers in which one lobe of the five-lobed calyx becomes enlarged and bract-like. The showy, white or pink part of the flower is an enlarged sepal lobe. The flowers are pollinated by the cloudless sulfur butterfly (Phoebis sennae) and perhaps other butterflies.

This shrub or tree would be an interesting addition to a pollinator garden, woodland garden, riparian garden or pond-side garden. It can be used as an accent, screen, ornamental shrub or small tree.

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