Chrysobalanus icaco aka Coco Plum

Chrysobalanus icaco, or cocoplum, is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Chrysobalanaceae family. Its native range runs from Florida through tropical America to Brazil. It also grows wild in tropical Africa, westward to Zambia. It lives in coastal woods and sandy thickets. Wild plants also grow where soil stays moist or floods. People grow it for food, hedges, and garden use.

Size and shape vary across its range. Garden references give heights of 10–20 feet [3–6 metres]. UF/IFAS reports inland plants reaching 15–25 feet [4.6–7.6 metres] or more. PFAF gives a spread of about 26 feet [8 metres]. Plants may have several stems and a round crown. Some have a twisted trunk that trails along the ground. The gray-brown bark has many lenticels and may turn scaly. Brown twigs develop raised lenticels and curved leaf scars. The thick leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They are oval to round, with smooth edges and sometimes notched tips. Their upper sides shine dark green; their undersides are yellow-green.

Small flowers grow in branched clusters near the branch tips. Each has five petals, white or touched with pink. Plants can bloom in several flushes or through the year. The round, plum-like fruit measures about one to two inches long. Skin may be purple, nearly black, white, or pink-blushed. Dark fruit can have a waxy coat. The flesh is white, soft, and fairly sweet. People eat it fresh, cook it, or make preserves. They also eat the seeds raw or roasted. The seeds yield edible oil.

Cocoplum grows in sun or light shade in warm climates. Sources place it in USDA zones 10–12. It accepts sandy, loamy, or clay soils across a broad pH range. Garden references favor moist soil that drains well. UF/IFAS also reports tolerance of seasonal wetness and dryness. Established plants withstand drought, though sources differ on its drought tolerance. It tolerates wind and salt, and needs few added nutrients.

Dense growth makes cocoplum useful for screens and living fences. Its thickets can help hold sand dunes in place. Occasional problems include scale insects, weevils, leaf spots, and canker. It has escaped gardens and become naturalized in some places. Sources report no known hazards, but give no pet-specific safety data. Traditional medicine uses its tannin-rich parts for gut and skin complaints.