Borrichia arborescens aka Sea Ox Eye

Borrichia arborescens is an evergreen shrub in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its native range spans southern Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico to Honduras. It grows along coasts in warm tropical and subtropical regions. Wild plants live on rocky shores, beaches, and sandy marshes. These habitats lie close to sea level.

This shrub grows slowly and forms dense groups of stems. Reported heights suggest a garden range of 3–4 feet [0.9–1.2 metres]. Some colonies reach about 5 feet [1.5 metres]. Rhizomes spread below ground, while stems take root where they touch soil. This growth helps the plant form a thick cover. Young bark is smooth and gray-brown, but roughens with age. Slender twigs are gray to silver-green and break easily. Their centres contain a large core of white pith.

The leaves stay on the plant throughout the year. They grow in opposite or nearly opposite pairs. Each leaf is simple, thick, and leathery to almost succulent. Both surfaces have a gray-green colour, and the leaves have a scent. Leaves measure about 0.17–0.33 feet [0.05–0.10 metres] long. Their shapes range from narrow to broadest near the tip. They have smooth edges and pointed tips. Leaves cluster near the ends of the twigs.

Yellow flower heads stand out against the gray-green leaves. Each head has a yellow central disk and yellow rays. The disk is wider than the length of the rays. Flower heads measure about 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] across. Most flowers appear in spring and early summer. Some may appear at other times of year. Butterflies visit the flowers and act as pollinators. The fruits are small, dark brown achenes with a needle-like shape.

Grow this shrub in a sunny spot. It tolerates salty soil and both acid and alkaline conditions. It also withstands long periods of flooding. Once established, it tolerates some drought. Dense growth suits low hedges and ground cover near the sea. The plant tolerates trimming, which helps keep hedges in shape. Gardeners can raise it from seed, cuttings, or divisions. The sources give no cold-hardiness limits or named pest and disease problems. Leaves have a recorded use in medicinal tea. The database lists no known hazards, but this does not establish safety for people or pets.