# White Stopper (*Eugenia axillaris*) The White Stopper is a lovely shrub that grows in warm places. It has shiny leaves and produces small white flowers that turn into tasty fruits for birds and other animals. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![White Stopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eugenia_axillaris_%28Sw.%29_Willd._-_white_stopper_%283777295745%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sam Fraser-Smith from Brisbane, Australia, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eugenia_axillaris_%28Sw.%29_Willd._-_white_stopper_%283777295745%29.jpg) ## Appearance The White Stopper is a shrub or small tree with glossy, dark green leaves that often have reddish new growth. It produces small, fluffy white flowers that are highly fragrant, followed by tiny, round berries that ripen from green to dark red or black. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Myrtales - **Family:** Myrtaceae - **Genus:** Eugenia ## Interesting facts - Birds absolutely adore its tiny, sweet, dark red to black berries! - Its leaves, when crushed, release a delightful scent reminiscent of nutmeg and cloves! - Some people call this plant 'Cinnamon Bark' because of its smooth, reddish-brown bark! - The 'stopper' in its name refers to its historical use as a natural astringent. ## Special abilities - **Salty Survivor:** White Stopper can tolerate salty air and soil, helping it thrive in harsh coastal environments. - **Year-Round Buffet:** This plant continuously produces fruit, providing a steady, reliable food source for many animals throughout the year. - **Fragrant Shield:** Its leaves release a spicy, aromatic scent when crushed, which may deter some herbivores. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-600 cm - **Spread:** 200-500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Year-round in warm regions, peaking spring/summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Northern Mockingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-mockingbird) (*Mimus polyglottos*) — Feeds on its small, dark berries. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits its white flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Consumes its ripe, sweet fruit. - **Shelter:** [White-eyed Vireo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-eyed-vireo) (*Vireo griseus*) — Nests within its dense foliage. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before trying to eat any wild fruits. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White Stopper? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is White Stopper? 300-600 cm ### How wide does White Stopper spread? 200-500 cm ### How big are the flowers on White Stopper? 0.5-1 cm ### When does White Stopper bloom? Year-round in warm regions, peaking spring/summer ### Is White Stopper edible? Yes ### Is White Stopper toxic? None ### What is White Stopper's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Marie Selby Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marie-selby-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [White Stopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-stopper)