Chrysobalanus family.

Blooms from March through August.

An evergreen shrub that grows to one foot tall or more. Has reddish-brown stems with oblong leaves that are leathery and alternate. Clusters of small, creamy white flowers occur at the top of the shrub. Fruit turns from green to purplish when ripe and is a popular food source for gopher tortoises.

This shrub spreads by underground stems and is occasionally grown as ground cover because of its shiny, evergreen foliage.

Gopher Apple is found in southeastern states.