The Knockaway Tree is a semi-evergreen tree with dark green oval leaves which are very rough on upper surface giving it another common name, Sandpaper Tree. It has small white fragrant frowers in 2-3 inch long panicles. The edible fruit is yellowish orange, sweet and juicy. It is eaten by birds and animals.

The fruits are about 1/4 inch diameter and showy when abundant. It becomes round topped tree on favorable sites but often a suckering shrub on dry sites with poor soil. It is uncommon in cultivation outside southern Texas where it is native.

Fruit picture courtesy of Rachel Cywinski.