| Forestiera segregata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Oleaceae |
| Genus: | Forestiera |
| Species: | F. segregata |
| Binomial name | |
| Forestiera segregata | |
Forestiera segregata is a species of flowering plant in theolive family known by the common namesFlorida privet,Florida swampprivet, andsouthern privet. It is native tothe Bahamas, theGreater Antilles, includingPuerto Rico and theCayman Islands, theLesser Antilles, includingAnguilla, andFlorida,Georgia, andSouth Carolina in the United States.[3]
This plant is ashrub or small tree growing up to three[4] to seven meters tall.[3] The gray or brownish twigs havelenticels. The leaves are widely lance-shaped, oval, or spatula-shaped with narrowed bases. They are up to 5[4] to 7 centimeters long.[3] The plant is evergreen or deciduous. The flowers are small and greenish yellow in color. They are pollinated by insects. The fruit is a black or bluishdrupe up to a centimeter long. It stains cloth and skin and is bad-tasting.[3]
There are twovarieties of this species: the more common var.segregata[3] and the less common var.pinetorum, which occurs in Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas.[5]
This species is used in cultivation as ahedge which is easily clipped into shape.[6]
