Snowberry - Chiococca alba

Snowberry - Chiococca alba, a robust attractive evergreen long-lived perennial that is part vine/part shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and native to Florida that commonly blooms spring through fall and often all year long.  The genus name Chiococca comes from the Greek chion  meaning snow, and kokkos meaning kernel or berry. The species epithet alba is Latin for “white” and refers to the color of its berries. It is an unusual name for a plant that only grows in very warm places but the berries are as white as the driven snow. Its tubular flowers start a pale white and as the flower ages they turn yellow.  It provides food and cover for various birds, small mammals, and nectar for pollinators. It is also a larval host for the Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi) and Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis).  This plant prefers partial shade conditions to some full sun exposure and requires some support as it grows and with support can reach 10’ in height and often 10’ width