Schaefferia frutescens aka Florida Boxwood

Schaefferia frutescens is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Celastraceae family. Gardeners know it as Florida boxwood, false box, or crabwood. Its native range runs from Mexico to Venezuela and through the Caribbean to the Florida Keys. In Florida, it grows near tidal waters, on sand and in hammocks. In Jamaica, it grows in thickets and open woods on dry limestone soils.

Garden plants reach 15–25 feet (4.6–7.6 metres) tall. Their spread reaches 10–15 feet (3–4.6 metres). Many remain shrubs, though large plants reach 30 feet (9.1 metres). Growth is fast, with a dense, oval crown. Several trunks or clumped stems often form the base. Smooth bark ranges from grey to brown. New twigs are thin and green. The simple, oval leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each leaf has pinnate veins and smooth edges that curl slightly. Leaves measure 0.17–0.33 feet (0.05–0.10 metres) long. Their green to yellow-green colour does not change in fall.

Small greenish-white flowers appear in spring. They form tight groups where leaves meet the stems. Round, fleshy fruits follow and stay on the plant. They change from green through yellow to bright red. Each fruit measures less than 0.04 feet (0.013 metres) across. The foliage gives the plant a fine texture, much like boxwood. Neither the bark nor the fall display draws much attention.

Florida boxwood grows in sun or partial shade. Partial shade suits foundation beds and sites without all-day sun. It accepts sand, loam, and clay where water drains well. Slightly alkaline soil suits it, and it tolerates salty soil. Established plants withstand drought well. UF/IFAS lists it for USDA zones 10b–11. It takes clipping well for hedges, screens, and formal shapes. Keep a hedge wider below so light reaches its base. Growers can train larger plants as small trees with several trunks. A single trunk with a compact crown is another option. Other uses include borders, espalier, roadside buffers, and land reclamation.

UF/IFAS reports no major pest or disease problems affecting growth or health. Roots seldom cause trouble, and the plant has no known invasive record there. Its hard, heavy yellow wood serves for boxes and carving. Small plant size limits the wood supply. Useful Tropical Plants records medicinal root use in Cuba, but gives no treatment details. That source lists no known edible uses or hazards. This does not establish that the fruit is safe to eat.