Gopher Apple, Ground Oak

The fruit has a *very* odd, subtle flavor: syrupy and creosote-y at the same time. Worth trying, but maybe not worth repeating....

I have heard so many good things about this plant but I have about seven of them and for at least four or five months they have done noth...Read Moreing. Still alive but no new leaves or any indication of spreading. I did hear that they were slow to get established, maybe its the wrong time of year for their growth?

Gopher Apple is a member of the family Chrysobalanaceae, the same family as the Cocoplum (Chyrosobalanus icaco). It resembles a miniature...Read More oak that is a groundcover that spreads by seed.

Gopher Apple is native to dry sandy habitats, xeric sites, oak hammocks, sandhills, longleaf pine/turkey oak sandhills, sandy pine flatwoods, scrub, barrens, dunes and similar habitats in the southeastern United States from South Carolina southward throughout much of Georgia and throughout Florida (including the Keys), westward into Louisiana.

This is a great native drought-tolerant groundcover that spreads rapidly and is regenerated (and dispersed to grow new Gopher Apples) by fire, which is frequent in many of the dry, sandy habitats (such as the sandhills) it is found in. Fire helps the Gopher Apple to regenerate and grow, and also aids in dispersal of it's seeds. Once established, it grows quickly.

The small to medium, pinkish to reddish fruits, when ripe, provide excellent food for wildlife such as the Gopher Tortoise and other creatures.

It grows in full sun to very light shade. Thrives in zones 8a through 11. Great for a wildlife or native plant garden.

This groundcover is also great for the restoration of native sandhills, flatwoods, and scrub in the southeastern United States.

Provides food for gopher tortoise.