Christmas berry is salt-tolerant shrub
The Christmas berry or Christmasberry (Lycium carolinianum) gets its name from the bright red berries it produces in December. The evergreen shrub is found throughout Florida’s coastal areas. It grows naturally on the edges of saltmarsh and mangrove habitats, making it tolerant of salt water flooding and salt spray. It typically prefers full sun and moist soils, with the ability to tolerate periods of occasional drought. If left in drought conditions for prolonged periods of time, Christmas berry will drop its leaves as a drought avoidance adaptation to conserve water. It can grow to about 8 feet tall and about 3-5 feet wide. If left to spread, the shrub will form suckers at its base, but it can be easily pruned for a neater appearance. Christmas berry typically blooms in summer and fall, and it produces light purple flowers, followed by bright red berries. It is a close relative to Goji berry and is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade Family — the same family as tomatoes and peppers. The leaves are succulent, and the branches can have thorns, so wear gloves when planting or pruning. Christmas berry is an excellent addition to wildlife gardens. The berries feed a variety of birds and the nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinator species, including hummingbirds and the great southern white and Gulf fritillary butterflies. Although excellent for wildlife, it can be toxic to dogs and other pets if ingested in high quantities.
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