Seaside Grape

Seaside Grape (Coccoloba uvifera), a small tree of the natural order Polygonaceæ, a native of the West Indies. It grows on the seacoasts, and receives its name from the bunches of its violet-coloured fleshy calyx which envelop the nuts or seeds. The fleshy part is pleasantly acid, and is eaten with or without sugar; it is esteemed astringent and antidyseuteric; is used in making refreshing drinks. The extract of the wood is extremely astringent, and is sometimes called Jamaica Kino. The wood itself is heavy, hard, durable, beautifully veined, and capable of taking a fine polish.