Coccoloba Rugosa

[Gbarce]

Coccoloba Rugosa is suppose to be related to the Sea Grape Tree.

It has very thick leathery leaves that are really huge.  

I'd really like to know more about this tree.

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is a young one i got at Jeff's spring sale. It is about twice the size. It gets a nice red inflorescence too. Here is a photo of the flower at the link;

http://www.hawaiifruit.net/prweb/images/Co...a%20rugosa2.jpg

[Jeff Searle]

Hello Gene,

     I will try to post a few pictures of some of mine in pots, as well as the ones planted at my house. This is definitely one of my favorite plants in my garden, or anywhere for that matter. The leaf is incredible, and I look forward to mine flowering one day. I like it even more so than C. pubescens.

Jeff

[Gbarce]

Thanks for the pics hope to see more.  I hear that the leaves get up to 4 feet across-- is that true or exagerrated?  This eventually ends up as a tree right?

How much would a small one cost?

[Jeff Searle]

A group of small 3gallon plants at the nursery.

Jeff

[Jeff Searle]

Close up of the large leaves.

[Jeff Searle]

This was an airlayer that I put on one of the small plants, and it took.

Jeff

[Jeff Searle]

Looking up one of my larger plants.

[Jeff Searle]

These are about 7' tall.

[Jeff Searle]

Last group picture.

[Gbarce]

Those are really gorgeous jeff.  They will eventually branch out like a regular tree right?

wahts the maximum size of the leaf?  Are other species even bigger ?

[Jeff Searle]

Gene,

       Thanks, I knew you would enjoy them. They do start to branch on their own at this size, often from down below and not up top where you would think. I'm not sure how much bigger the leaf will get, maybe a little more. And I'm still not sure how big this tree gets before it starts to flower. Not real tall, maybe in the 15' size(??). I did hear that there is a larger leaf Coccoloba specie growing down in the Amazon somewhere, but thats all.

Jeff

[palmmermaid]

Jeff,

Do these require the same care and growing conditions of the common sea grape we have here?  I saw one at Ruth Sallenbach's house a couple of years ago and wanted on then.  Didn't know you have them.

[Jeff Searle]

Kitty,

    Was it definitely C. rugosa and not C. pubescens? Either plant, it's a great addition to the collection in a garden. To answer your question though, I'm not sure on the salt tolerance. But, as far as wind, they seem to hold up good, and they take full sun conditions. This is a tough plant. Where as C. pubescens enjoys some shade through the hottest part of the day to look it's nicest. This is more of a tree,or could be prunned up to look like a tree maybe a little more than seagrapes, although that can be shaped into a tree after many years.But I have seen pictures of the flower and it's a real plus. But, so far, I'm in love with this plant and it's been growing  like a champ with no issues.

Jeff

[palmmermaid]

Jeff,

Pretty sure it was C. rugosa.  It looked very much like yours in its growth habit.  The only water near me is fresh so I am not concerned about the salt tolerance.  My biggest concern is sun tolerance.  Sounds like it would do fine in my yard.

Now all I need to do is find one!

[Jeff Searle]

Kitty,

   I do have some for sale, if your interested in one. But they are all pretty big now. PM me if your interested.

Jeff

[Scott Cohen]

They actually get quight large if allowed, ive seen pic''s of large trees that got over 45ft, but hey were old. sparce brancher that can branch much more if trimmed regularly for a while.  and from what i have seen they tolerate salt rather well, would not plant it in a swamp, but as long as it is not submerged they should be fine. leaves verry in size eve on the same plant, with larger specimins having larger leaves, (generally). flower is also cool, my largest put out its 1st this year, about 1ft long red poker lookin thing. really cool, and they can get up to t feet long on large trees.

 I have several small 1g size plants available if jeff's are to large.

Scott C

[Gbarce]

This is the specimen that got me interested.  The vendor only has one for his own collection and at this point he is just establishing it.

[Gbarce]

Hmmm.... the leaves of this one look a lot rounder than the ones in the  otherpictures.  Could it be a different plant?

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Gene,

It looks like C pubescens.

Jerry

[Jeff Searle]

I agree. And if so, there should be some small pubescen hairs on the leaf. Still a great plant for your collection.

Jeff

[amazondk]

Jeff,

I think you asked me about these plants some time ago.  I have seen plants that look a lot like these growing in secondary vegetation around here.  I am going to take a bette look now that I have a better idea of what to look for.

dk

[Peter]

I've seen photos from the Amazon of absolutely gigantic Coccoloba's; much,much bigger than pubescens or rugosa-not sure if it's environmental or they are different species. Let us know if you run across any of these!

[Scott Cohen]

ive heard of these monster leaved coccolobas to, but no one had ever produced a name seed or plants. Although, i didsee a pic once of A lief that was well over 4feet long and maybe 2 feet wide..... thats impressive

[Scott Cohen]

Peter, could you post those pics you saw ?

[Gbarce]

(amazondk @ Jan. 12 2008,20:43)

QUOTE

Jeff,

I think you asked me about these plants some time ago.  I have seen plants that look a lot like these growing in secondary vegetation around here.  I am going to take a bette look now that I have a better idea of what to look for.

dk

Don,

You think you can get seeds?  

[Peter]

Sorry Scott, I thought I had the photo stashed somewhere but can't seem to find it now- I'll keep looking.

[Jeff Searle]

To all,

     I will have a couple of my plants on display in my booth this weekend at the TPIE show. Most of the plants in my booth will be palms, but I really want to push this plant and open some "eyes". I'm looking to catch some attention,if I may. Ryan (Palmarum) has started a thread on this Show in the DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE forum where you can then see a couple on display.

Jeff

[Peter]

I found the photo of what was identified by someone as a Coccoloba from Brazil.  I have no idea whether this is accurate or not, but check out this leaf:

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

OMG!  That looks cool!  The guy looks like an Oompaloompa in comparison.  OK Scott, now you gotta get this one on the market.

Jerry

[Eric in Orlando]

Wow, imagine having to rake under that tree !!!

[Chavales]

Nice plant! Does anyone have small ones available? This is an old thread but would like to revive it. Any pictures of adult specimens to see size comparison.

Thanks!

[virtualpalm]

We have 7 gal. to 100 gal. available at our nursery in Homestead. Here are a few photos:

This one is 15' tall

Newly emerging flower stalk

Mature flower stalk

Full size leaf

Contact me privately for more information if you are interested.

[Chavales]

Awesome thank you so much. Can they be out in full sun or only partial?

[virtualpalm]

They grow quite well in full sun or partial shade.

[Mandrew968]

I think that one photo is shopped...

[Mandrew968]

Was just in Roatan, last week, and saw this growing on the side of the road. Thought it was just from Puerto Rico, but I guess it is native to this Island too...

[Mandrew968]

This was growing alongside Attalea cohune and across the road was a species of Bactris. I would bet this was not planted as everything I saw, in this particular area, looked to be untouched and undeveloped.

[Mandrew968]

These are the Bactris I mentioned-again, undeveloped land.

[Mandrew968]

OK, I am being told by some of my peers that the plant I saw was not rugosa. Honest mistake! Still cool plant and maybe still worth posting? Moderator--remove, if you choose to