~SIMPSON'S STOPPER~

Myrcianthes fragrans variegata

Family: Myrtaceae 

Native Tree 

Zone: 8B-11 

Height: 5-20 feet 

Spread: 3-15 feet

Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) commemorates Charles Torrey Simpson, botanist, conservationist and Sage of Biscayne Bay, 

for whom Simpson Park just south of downtown Miami is also named. Its species name refers to the sweet aroma of the flowers, 

but the leaves also produce an aromatic smell when crushed. This stopper grows as a large shrub or small to medium-sized tree with reddish peeling bark. 

It usually matures in the 10-20 ft. range, but 50 ft. is not unheard of in southern Florida. The growth rate is slow to moderate.

M. fragrans is native from Lee, Okeechobee and St. Johns Counties southward through the Keys and into the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. 

Leaves are 1-2 1/2 in. long and semi-glossy on the upper surface. Dots on the leaf surfaces contain the aromatic substances which are released when the leaves are crushed. Simpson’s Stopper produces clusters of white flowers year-round, but most heavily during the spring and summer. 

The flowers are followed by orange to red globose berries that provide a food source to a variety of wildlife.

This species is native to moist, well-drained limestone or sandy soils. 

Like the other stoppers, it does not like long exposures to salt air or salty or brackish water. 

Drought tolerance is moderate once a plant is established in a new site. 

For best results, grow Simpson’s Stopper in full sun to light shade.

Fruit of the Simpson Stopper is brightly colored and attractive to birds and butterflies.

Easy to really love their beautiful bark and branching.

Like other members of the Myrtaceae, myrtle family, Myrcianthes fragrans has spicy fragrant leaves.

This plant has fragrant, white flowers that grow in long panicles which occur periodically throughout the year. 

These flowers then develop into attractive, red berries that are edible. 

Butterflies and other nectar seeking insects are attracted to the flowers.

This plant will tolerate wet soils but is also drought tolerant.

Ethnobotany: Called a stopper, because it was used for treatment of diarrhea. 

The name Simpson's Stopper comes from the use of the berries to treat diarrhea and dysentery, 

by indigenous people is anecdotal and has not been substantiated yet by ethnobotanical studies.

Plant Specifics

Form: shrub

Life Span: long-lived perennial

Size: Height: 5-20 ft    Width: 3-15 ft

Flower Color:       white

Fruit Color:       orange

Phenology: evergreen

Noted for: Showy flowers, showy fruits, aroma, fragrance, hurricane wind resistance, interesting bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses: Specimen plant. Roadsides, parking lot edges, and medians. Smaller forms can make good foundation screens.

Light:      

Moisture Tolerance:  

Salt Tolerance: Moderately salt tolerant

Soil or other substrate: Sand, lime rock

Soil pH Range: Calcareous (high pH)

Ecology

Wildlife:          

Attracts bees and butterflies.

Native Habitats: Tropical rockland hammock, coastal hammock.

ATTENTION USA BIDDERS!

     All live plants if shipped bare-root are wrapped in moist sphagnum moss to ensure the plant's healthy transit to you. All live plants are Inspected By USDA Plant Inspectors before they are shipped to insure you get healthy pest free plants and seeds.

We ship via USPS Mondays-Wednesday with Delivery confirmation.

All plant materials are required by LAW to inspected and certified by USDA prior to export Hawaii to the US Mainland.

After Inspection, USDA stamps released for export Hawaii to the US Mainland. All items are delivered to USDA Inspection Station at Honolulu International airport.

USDA Certification charge is included in Shipping and Handling @ $5 fee per item/species.

There is a packing and custom boxing fee.

Last and usually least is USPS postage (shipping)

ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS!

We can ship certified live plants to the US only. Only Domestic Shipping and Handling includes USDA Certification.

We ship Seeds Internationally.

All International shipments are at Buyer's Risk. Please spend no more more than you can lose!

Proper Permits and Documents are the BUYER's responsibility. Please request any documents prior to shipping.

For foreign customers, please check your laws concerning permitting and customs, additional shipping and handling costs may apply.

The additional charge for any Phytosanitary Certificate is not included in this offer.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON LIVE PLANTS is available only under these conditions!

All international orders are shipped at the BUYER's RISK  (shipped with or without documents) and no refunds or replacements are offered for Dead On Arrival, loss, confiscation, Customs Seizure, unanticipated charges, etc.

We will ship once a week - ON or BEFORE WEDNESDAYS, because of the special stamps needed to ship plants and cuttings to you.  This can only be done at the Dept. of Agriculture.  If payments are not met before that MONDAY, your items will be shipped the following week and lose the combined discount opportunity. Non-paying bidders may receive negative feedback and will be reported as an unpaid item to eBay.After you purchase After you Receive your Items.There is the risk when you grow plants that they may die. LIVE PLANTS are PERISHABLE, guaranteed not to live forever. DO NOT expect any live plant to be GUARANTEED to remain alive. Plants are NOT GUARANTEED TO SURVIVE after you begin Care!From delivery confirmation, you have only 48 hours from delivery confirmation to make any claim.

If you are dissatisfied with the item for any reason, please contact me before leaving a negative or neutral comment.

I want you to be satisfied!

Mahalo iâ `oe no ke kipa `ana mai. E kipa mai hou!

Rare Seeds

Fresh Highest Quality

Seller warrants seed to be of the variety and quantity advertised. Safe delivery is guaranteed and seeds lost or damaged during shipment will be replaced at seller's expense. Claims must be made within 7 days of shipment. All other replacements, refunds, returns and exchanges will be made at the sole discretion of the seller.

  Seed is a live product which depends on many important related grower skills such as proper planting time, seed depth, type of soil, irrigation, proper use of fertilizers, weed controls, fungicides, insecticides, disease free soil, and reasonable weather conditions during the growing period. Germination is affected by such factors as temperature, moisture content, light intensity and contamination of planting media. These factors are totally out of the seller's control and are the buyer's responsibility and risk. Consequentially, the seller cannot unconditionally guarantee seed to perform properly regardless of conditions or the buyer's methods or mistakes.

Ma ha lo & A l o h a ! !