Rougeplant (Rivina humilis) can be found growing in moist, shady foothill canyons here in Tucson, Arizona. This native perennial or small shrub has small, pink to sometimes white flowers in slender racemes.

Rougeplant blooms here in the summertime, and often present at the same time as the flowers are the bright red berries.

The berries contain a rouge-like red dye and are eaten by birds. Rougeplant is poisonous, especially the leaves, and although the berries are likely not highly toxic to humans, it is probably safer to leave them to the birds.

Since it is so attractive, long-blooming, and easy to grow, our native Rougeplant is cultivated as a garden plant, and it has become naturalized in a number of countries around the World, including China. However, this plant is only native to the tropical Americas and the southern parts of the United States. Rougeplant has several common names and is also known as Pigeonberry, Bloodberry, or Coralito.