Myrcia neopallens: Spicewood, Pale Lidflower

This Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ publication is part of a series originally written by Edward F. Gilman. Visit https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ to learn more about creating and maintaining attractive landscapes that protect Florida's water resources and environment.

Introduction

Spicewood (Myrcia neopallens) is an upright evergreen shrub to small tree in the myrtle (Myrtaceae) family, native to south Florida. It has an oval growth habit and reaches a spread of 10 feet and height of 15 feet (Figure 1). Its leaves, which have a unique spicy fragrance, give this plant its popular common name, spicewood. Leaves are small, light green, glossy, and have a pink to red tinge when young (Figure 2). Spicewood produces beige, fragrant flowers from spring through summer (Figure 3). The flowers open when a small lid flips up from the floral cup. The fruits change from green to orange, red, yellow, and then black (Figure 4). The tree and the fruits are appealing to many species of birds; the smaller birds use the tree as cover. Spicewood is a suitable plant for a screen, standard, or hedge. It may also be used as a border in the landscape.

General Information

Scientific name: Myrica neopallens (aka Myrica aromatica)

Previous scientific name(s): this species is currently undergoing taxonomic reclassification; Calyptranthes pallens (synonym); Myrica pallens (synonym); Myrcia chytraculia var. Pauciflora (synonym)

Pronunciation: mere-SEA-ah knee-OH-pal-lens

Common name(s): spicewood, pale lidflower

Family: Myrtaceae

Plant type: tree; shrub

USDA hardiness zones: 10A through 11B (Figures 5 and 6)

Planting month for zones 10 and 11: year-round

Origin: native to Florida

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: trained as a standard; screen; border; espalier; recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; superior hedge

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Description

Height: 10 to 15 feet

Spread: 6 to 10 feet

Plant habit: oval

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: medium

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in partial shade; plant grows in full sun

Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: low to moderate

Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other

Roots: usually not a problem

Winter interest: evergreen foliage

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Spicewood prefers a full sun to light shade location in the landscape. It is adaptable to many soils and is moderately drought tolerant. However, this plant grows best in moist to wet areas. This plant is native to the coastal hammocks of south Florida, and has low tolerance to direct salt spray, but moderate tolerance of aerosolized salt.

The fruit attracts birds to the landscape, and smaller birds utilize the tree for shelter. This plant is threatened in Florida and should be acquired from nurseries with appropriate licensure. Spicewood may be used as a specimen or can be clipped into a hedge or maintained as a foundation plant. It can be trained into a small multi-trunk tree.

Design Considerations

Spicewood is a versatile native evergreen for central and south Florida, prized for its fine texture and dense, glossy foliage. Its primary design use is as a screen or hedge; it responds exceptionally well to shearing for a formal look but can also be left unpruned to form a dense, informal barrier. The ability to easily manage its size makes it an excellent foundation plant, or it can be pruned into an elegant multi-trunk tree (10–15 feet) that showcases its smooth, mottled bark, perfect for patios and courtyards.

In garden design, use its fine-textured foliage as a dark green backdrop. It provides a beautiful contrast to the coarse fronds of coontie (Zamia integrifolia) or silver saw palmetto (Serenoa repens 'Cinerea') and allows the colors of perennials like dwarf firebush (Hamelia patens 'Compacta') to stand out. In a mixed border, it serves as the evergreen "bones" of the design when layered with other natives like Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera).

Beyond its structure, spicewood offers significant wildlife and sensory benefits. Fragrant white flowers attract numerous pollinators, the subsequent berries are a valuable food source for birds, and the leaves release a pleasant, spicy aroma when crushed.

Pests and Diseases

No pest or disease issues of major concern.