Stoppers: Pinecrest's Native Plant of the Month

Published on April 25, 2025

Stoppers: Pinecrest's Native Plant of the Month

Stoppers are a remarkable group of evergreen shrubs and small trees native to Florida. They are celebrated for their springtime blooms, colorful berries, and glossy leaves that stay green all year. These versatile plants can be pruned into dense hedges or allowed to grow into graceful small trees, making them a perfect fit for almost any landscape.

But Stoppers offer much more than just good looks. Their fragrant flowers attract a variety of butterflies and pollinators, while their vibrant berries are a favorite treat for birds, including the Florida state bird, the mockingbird. Once established, Stoppers are exceptionally drought-tolerant and require little to no supplemental irrigation, making them a sustainable choice for Florida gardens.

Florida is home to several native Stoppers, each with its unique charm:

Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)
This is perhaps the most beloved of the group, known for its fragrant white flowers, striking orange-red berries, and attractive, peeling bark. Simpson’s Stopper is a pollinator magnet and a bird favorite.

White Stopper (Eugenia axillaris)
Common in coastal hammocks, the White Stopper features aromatic leaves, clusters of white flowers, and berries that ripen from red to black. Its leaves release a distinctive scent, giving Florida’s hammocks their signature aroma.

Redberry Stopper (Eugenia confusa)
A rare and endangered species, the Redberry Stopper boasts glossy green leaves and brilliant red berries. Its slow growth and elegant form make it a prized addition to any native garden.

Red Stopper (Eugenia rhombea)
With new leaves that flush a beautiful red and mature to deep green, this stopper is both colorful and adaptable. Its small black fruits are loved by birds, and it’s an excellent choice for naturalistic plantings.

Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida)
This dense, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree has leathery leaves, white flowers, and dark berries. Spanish Stopper is especially useful for privacy screens and wildlife cover, and it tolerates salty breezes better than most.

Spicewood (Calyptranthes pallens)
Also known as “Pale Lidflower,” Spicewood is a fragrant, shade-tolerant shrub with aromatic leaves and red-to-black berries. It’s a subtle but rewarding addition to shady gardens.

Why Plant Stoppers?
Stoppers are more than just pretty faces in the landscape. They’re ecological workhorses, providing food and shelter for birds and pollinators, stabilizing soil, and thriving with minimal care. Their dense, multi-trunked growth also makes them excellent natural barriers.

The Name “Stopper”
The origin of the name “Stopper” is as interesting as the plants themselves. Some say it comes from traditional medicinal uses—early Floridians used parts of the plant to treat flu-like symptoms and digestive issues. Others believe it refers to the way these shrubs form impenetrable thickets, effectively “stopping” anyone from passing through.

If you’re looking to add beauty, resilience, and wildlife value to your landscape, Florida’s native Stoppers are a top choice. With their year-round greenery, seasonal bursts of flowers and berries, and important ecological roles, these plants are a true celebration of Florida’s natural heritage. Consider adding one—or several—of these outstanding natives to your garden this season.