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Shrubs or trees 1–7 m. Stems erect to spreading. Leaves: petiole 2–6 mm; blade obovate, 1.5–5(–6) × 1–2.5(–3.5) cm, base cuneate, margins entire, sometimes wavy, apex rounded.

Phenology: Flowering early spring–summer; fruiting summer–winter.
Habitat: Hammocks, dunes, edges of mangrove forests.
Elevation: 0–10 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Fla., Mexico, West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba).

Discussion

In the flora area, var. phyllanthoides occurs along the Gulf coast of peninsular Florida from Levy County south and on the Atlantic coast in Miami-Dade County and the Keys. The leaves yield a gum that has been used as a substitute for gutta-percha, a rubberlike substance derived from Palaquium Blanco spp. (Sapotaceae) of southeast Asia and used in dentistry and historically for electrical insulation and golf balls.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.