Spanish Stopper

Title

Spanish Stopper

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Eugenia foetida Pers.

Description

Common Names

Spanish Stopper, Black Wattle, Stopper Bush, Box leaf Stopper, Gurgeon Stopper

Myrtaceae

Eugenia foetida grows as a large shrub to small tree up to 7 meters in height with a trunk to 30 cm in diameter. The leaves are arranged oppositely, to 5 cm in length, obovate to oblanceolate, with a rounded or blunt leaf apex and an entire margin. The abaxial surface has small black dots. The leaves, when crushed, have a slightly unpleasant odor.

The actinomorphic flowers are arranged in short terminal or axillary racemes. The calyx has 4 green unfused sepals. The corolla has 4 white, unfused petals. There are numerous white stamens. The ovary is inferior with 2 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a berry that turns orange-yellow to brownish-black at maturity.

Eugenia foetida grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Forest/Shrublands (coppice and scrublands).

Eugenia foetida occurs on all island groups in the Bahamian Archipelago, Florida and the Caribbean region as well as Mexico south through Central America.

Eugenia foetida is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.

The species is part of the horticultural industry and is great for attracting birds.