Landscape Uses:
	Kitchen gardens.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
	A somewhat rare and ephemeral understory component of coastal hammocks.
Availability:
	Commonly available at native plant nurseries in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and South Florida.
Description:
	Small short-lived shrubby herb with dark green shiny leaves.
Height:
	Typically 2-3 feet in height. Often about as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
	Fast.
Range:
	Southern United States south mostly along the Florida coasts to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Rare and ephemeral throughout its range in South Florida.
Habitats:
	Coastal hammocks.
Soils:
	Moist, well-drained limestone or calcareous sandy soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
	Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
	Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
	Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
	Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
	Light shade to full sun.
Flower Color:
	White.
Flower Characteristics:
	Semi-showy.
Flowering Season:
	All year.
Fruit:
	Red berry. Edible (very hot!).
Wildlife and Ecology:
	Birds (especially mockingbirds) eat the green, un-ripened peppers
Horticultural Notes:
	Can be grown from seed.
Comments:
	A short-lived plant, generally living 1-2 years. It recruits readily in the garden from seed but does not become aggressive. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.