Snowberry or milkberry (Chioccoca alba) is a common sprawling hammock shrub that is pictured above on our 7-13-2019 trip to Treasure Shores Park along with wild coffee (Psychtoria nervosa). Like wild coffee, snowberry is at its best in light shade and is part of the madder family, Rubiaceae.
At Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA), you will find large snowberry shrubs on the south side of the trail after it crosses the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that drains US Highway 1. Snowberry is fast-growing, can grow to be 10′ tall and as wide, and can become somewhat woody.
Snowberry will sprawl over other plants.
As with many tropical plants, flowering can occur throughout the year, usually peaking in the spring and summer. Its flowers are yellowish white, bell-shaped, and fragrant.
Its fruits are snow white drupes that are eaten and spread by wildlife. The species name alba refers to the white color of the fruits.
Look for snowberry in tropical hammocks throughout Indian River County. Below you’ll see it growing with Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicals), and silver blue saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) at Treasure Shores Park.
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 