Geobalanus spp.

gopher apple

Chrysobalanaceae

Southeastern United States and tropical America

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Geobalanus spp. is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the family Chrysobalanaceae, native to the Americas and recently segregated from Licania spp.. The species most often grown, G. oblongifolius, called gopher apple, occurs in the sandy soils of the southeastern United States. It is a low, spreading subshrub whose woody stems stand only 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) above ground, while extensive horizontal rhizomes spread for several feet below the surface, so a large colony is often a single connected plant. The leathery, oblong leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long with a pale underside. Small white to cream flowers appear in short clusters in late spring and summer, followed by oblong fruit about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long that ripens cream to pink and is eaten by gopher tortoises, mammals, and birds. The genus is adapted to fire and drought, resprouting from its deep rhizomes after burning. Its spreading, suckering habit makes it slow to contain in small spaces. Plants grow in pine scrub, sandhills, and coastal dunes.

Native Range

Geobalanus spp. is native to the Americas, with G. oblongifolius ranging across the southeastern United States from the Carolinas to Florida and west to Louisiana. It grows in pine flatwoods, sandhills, scrub, and coastal dunes on dry sandy soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown as an evergreen groundcover for dry sandy sites, slope stabilization, and coastal and pine-scrub restoration in the southeastern United States. It is planted in low-water and native gardens and supports wildlife with its fruit. The deep rhizomes help bind loose sand on dunes and banks.

How to Identify

Look for a low, mat-forming evergreen shrub only 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall with leathery, oblong leaves that have a pale underside, spreading in broad colonies from underground rhizomes. Small white flowers in short clusters are followed by oblong cream-to-pink fruit about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. The combination of a deep rhizome system and a low woody habit on dry sand identifies Geobalanus spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from late spring into summer, generally May to August, in small clusters of white to cream flowers held among the leaves. Bloom is often sparse and easy to overlook. Fruit ripens through summer and autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to cream

Foliage Description

green with pale underside

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade on dry, sandy, acidic, well-drained soils and tolerate poor, nutrient-low ground. Once established they are drought-tolerant and need no irrigation, drawing on deep rhizomes. They resprout after fire and recover from grazing, which makes them durable in harsh sites. Hardiness covers roughly USDA zones 8 to 10. The rhizomatous habit means a planting spreads outward over time and resists transplanting, since the deep roots are hard to lift intact. Few pests or diseases affect the genus.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed for this low, spreading shrub. Stray or damaged stems can be trimmed at any time. Where the rhizomes spread beyond their space, edging or root barriers contain the colony better than top pruning.