海葡萄屬落葉喬木或灌木，熱帶地區可終年常綠，原產美洲南部至中美洲臨加勒比海的海岸與島嶼。樹高可達8m。互生革質心形葉片，葉長10~20cm，葉寬12~24cm，葉脈分明，秋季葉片轉紅後於冬季掉落。總狀花序自枝端及葉腋伸出，雌雄異株，或有具雙性花的植株。白色花有花瓣5枚，花徑約0.4cm，有淡香味。果實三角形，被增厚的花瓣包裹，直徑約2cm，成熟時紫色。開花期夏季，結果期夏秋季。

A Coccoloba deciduous tree or shrub and evergreen in tropical regions. Native to the coast and islands of southern America to Central America near the Caribbean Sea. Tree height up to 8 m. Leaves alternate, leathery, heart-shaped, 10-20 cm long and 12-24 cm wide. Veins conspicuous. Leaves deciduous in winter after turning red in autumn. Racemes extending from branch tips and leaf axils, dioecious, occasionally bisexual. Flowers white with 5-petals, about 0.4 cm across, lightly scented. Fruits triangular and surrounded by thickened petals, about 2 cm across, purple when mature. Flowering in summer, and fruiting from summer and autumn.

適合全日照溫暖環境，具有耐風與抗旱、抗鹽的特性。土壤忌積水。春至秋季各施用一次長效性綜合肥料以加速生長。繁殖採用播種與扦插法。

It suitably grows in warm and full-sun environments; tolerant to wind, drought and salt. Avoid waterlogging in the soils and apply long-active compound fertilizers once a season from spring to autumn to accelerate the growth. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.

枝強葉硬耐風性強，適合濱海地區綠化用，亦可利用盆栽的方式應用於居家陽台或庭園欣賞。果實味道酸甜，可生食或製作果醬、果凍與釀酒。

Featuring with wind-tolerant branches and leaves, they are commonly used to green the coastal areas, and can also be a potted houseplant placed at balconies or in gardens for appreciation. The fruit tastes sour and sweet, can be eaten raw or used to make jam, jelly and brew wine.