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Geobalanus oblongifolius

gopher apple

Chrysobalanaceae

Southeastern United States coastal plain

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Geobalanus oblongifolius is a low, evergreen, woody groundcover in the cocoplum family, native to the sandy soils of the southeastern United States. Above ground it stands only 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall, but it spreads by long woody underground stems to form colonies several feet across, with most of its mass below the surface as a deep root system. The leathery, oblong leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, dark green and glossy above. From spring into summer it bears small clusters of cream to white flowers about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across at the stem tips. These are followed by oblong, plum-like fruit about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long that ripen whitish to pink and are edible, eaten by gopher tortoises and other animals, the source of the common name. It grows in sandhills, pine flatwoods, and scrub, where it tolerates drought, infertile sand, and periodic fire, resprouting from its underground stems after burning. It does not tolerate wet, heavy, or alkaline soil. The deep root system makes established plants hard to move. Top growth is killed by hard freezes at the northern edge of its range but regrows from the roots.

Native Range

Geobalanus oblongifolius is native to the southeastern United States, on the coastal plain from South Carolina and Florida west to Louisiana. It grows in sandhills, pine flatwoods, scrub, and other dry, sandy, fire-maintained habitats.

Suggested Uses

Geobalanus oblongifolius is used as an evergreen groundcover in sandy, dry, fire-prone native landscapes and restoration plantings in the Southeast. It is planted 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart to knit into colonies. Its fruit feeds gopher tortoises and other wildlife.

How to Identify

Look for a low evergreen groundcover only 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall with leathery, oblong dark green leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, spreading in patches over sandy ground. Small cream-white flowers in spring give way to oblong, plum-like fruit 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long that ripen whitish to pink. The colony-forming habit over a deep woody root system and the large edible fruit separate it from other low sandhill shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Cream to white flowers open from spring into summer, about April to July, in small clusters at the stem tips. The bloom is modest and easily passed over against the foliage. Flowers are followed by the conspicuous plum-like fruit.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream to white

Foliage Description

Dark green, leathery

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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

Geobalanus oblongifolius grows in full sun to light shade in dry, acidic, sharply drained sand with a pH from about 4.5 to 6.5. Once established it tolerates drought, heat, infertile soil, and periodic fire, regrowing from underground stems after burning. It rots in wet, heavy, or alkaline soil and transplants poorly because of its deep root system. No fertilizer is needed in lean sandy soils. It needs little water once rooted and no routine maintenance. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10, with top growth regrowing from the roots after hard freezes.

Pruning

Geobalanus oblongifolius needs no pruning. Stray above-ground stems can be trimmed to shape the colony if wanted. The plant regrows readily from its underground stems if top growth is cut or burned.