Sea Grape Tree

The sea grape is native to sandy shores of the American tropics. The plant is a small tree, sometimes reaching to 30 feet with stiff near-round leaves up to 8 inches across. Fruits are globose to pyroform, about 0.75 inch diameter and borne in clusters. The skin is pubescent, enclosing an edible pulp and single seed. The pulp is eaten directly and makes an excellent jelly. Ripening is mainly in midsummer. The sea grape appears not to be grown commercially, but some fruit from native plants is harvested.