Pronounciation: May-TEN-us fil-lan-THIO-des

Hardiness zones
Sunset 12,13, 20-24
USDA 9-11

Landscape Use: Filler shrub for oasis and xeric landscape designs providing a green landscape element in an otherwise arid and dry landscape setting.

Form & Character: Somewhat constrained and formal in appearance, though with hints of rebellion and spread to its habit of growth.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, woody, broadleaf perennial shrub, slow to initially establish in the landscape, but growth rate later increases with age and water availability, sprawling and mounding when mature, heights ranging from 4- to 10-feet tall with typically greater spread.

Foliage/Texture: Alternate, obovate and thick like a phyllode, dull, medium green (almost glaucous) on sometimes reddish petioles and young stems, nearly sessile, stems and branches become gray in color with age; medium fine texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Axillary flowers sparse and not showy, small and green with green sepals; fruits are green, oblong, ripen and open to show somewhat indehiscent seeds that are embedded in a bright, red fleshy aril.

Seasonal Color: None

Temperature: Tolerant

Light: Full sun is best. Partial to full shade causes a sparse to rank and etoliated, open growth habit.

Soil: Quite tolerant of soil alkalinity and soil salinity.

Watering: Needs regular irrigations in Phoenix during summer months.

Pruning: If properly placed in the landscape (enough space to accomodate its normal, spreading habit of growth), then pruning requirements are minimal to none.

Attention 'Hort Clods': Resist the urge!! Practice self control in new ways. DO NOT frequently shear!

Propagation: Mostly by semi-hardwood cutting, some seed.

Disease and Pests: None

Additional comments: In Phoenix, mangle dulce is a rarely cultivated, yet serviceable oasis and xeric filler shrub that probably deserves more attention in the Phoenix area from nursery operators, horticulturists and landscape architects. In Florida, mangle dulce is a highly desirable native plant for native plant landscape gardens.