David's Milkberry
Chiococca alba
Last reviewed: September 2026
Chiococca alba is an evergreen shrub that grows in coastal hammocks, pinelands, and woodland edges in Florida and Texas, with small white flowers appearing from March through November.
Toxicity unknown
David's Milkberry (Chiococca alba) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
60"–72" H × 60"–72" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
FL, TX
Pollinators
nectar insects
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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This native shrub produces small white flowers nearly year-round, followed by distinctive white berries that give it its common name. It forms a dense, rounded bush that works well as a medium-sized landscape specimen or informal hedge.
Growing David's Milkberry
Grow David's Milkberry in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 60 to 72 inches tall and spread 60 to 72 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
David's Milkberry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The long blooming period attracts butterflies, bees, and other nectar-seeking insects throughout most of the growing season. Birds enjoy the white berries that follow the flowers.
Common questions
- How much light does Chiococca alba need?
- Chiococca alba does best in part sun, though it tolerates conditions ranging from full sun in open hammocks to part shade under a light woodland canopy.
- How much water does Chiococca alba need?
- This shrub prefers medium moisture but adapts well to drier sandy or limestone soils once it becomes established.
- When does Chiococca alba bloom?
- Chiococca alba produces small tubular flowers over a long season, generally from March through November, with peak flowering in the warmer summer months.
- What pollinators visit Chiococca alba flowers?
- The fragrant, nectar-rich flowers draw a variety of nectar-seeking insects, including bees and small butterflies.
- What growth form does Chiococca alba have?
- Chiococca alba grows as a sprawling, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, often forming thickets or scrambling along fence lines and adjacent vegetation.
- Is David's Milkberry HOA-friendly?
- David's Milkberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow David's Milkberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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