Sea grape

https://pickmeyard.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/sea-grape-tree.jpg

 Sea grape Coccoloba uvifera

The sea grape belongs to the Polygonaceae family. 

The sea grape is a expansive shrub. It has a asymmetrical branches and a recognisable trunk, which can grow up to thirty feet. If the sea grape is planted away from the salty air, it can grow up to fifty feet tree. There is a red vein in the middle of the leathery, evergreen leaves going from top to bottom. When the leaves have matured they are a deep green, when the leaves are young they are hairless and are a copper colour with a kidney shaped. 
The bark of the sea grape peels but is smooth and has a marble coloured effect, (grey, white and brown). The bark contains a red sap which is used for medical purposes. 

They are  dioecious (female and males are on different trees).  Females trees have white/ivory flowers which turn into red grape like fruits and are pear shaped with a stone in the middle, they hang downward to appeal to animals like birds and children.  

The sea grape is commonly seen near the seaside and sand dunes for landscaping,the plant needs plenty of sunshine, sand and soil. The trunk is twisted and can grow up to two feet in diameter. 
The fruits can be used to make jelly and wine. in the West Indies they use the wood to make cabinets. 

Floridata.com, (2015). Floridata: Coccoloba uvifera. [online] Available at: http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cocc_uvi.cfm [Accessed 5 Apr. 2015].

Gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu, (2015). Plant ID Ornamentals Sea Grape - Florida Master Gardener Program - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. [online] Available at: http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/outreach/plant_id/ornamentals/sea_grape.shtml [Accessed 5 Apr. 2015]

Hort.ifas.ufl.edu, (2015). Sea Grape - Tree selection - Landscape plants - Edward F. Gilman - UF/IFAS. [online] Available at: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/Pages/cocuvi/cocuvi.shtml [Accessed 5 Apr. 2015].

Wildlifeofhawaii.com, (2015). Coccoloba uvifera - Sea Grape, Seagrape - Hawaiian Plants and Tropical Flowers. [online] Available at: http://wildlifeofhawaii.com/flowers/1561/coccoloba-uvifera-sea-grape/ [Accessed 5 Apr. 2015].