Beach tea (Croton punctatus) is a low, dense shrub whose leaves have a distinctive silvery green cast. It grows up to several feet tall and may sprawl over a large patch of ground. It is common in both dune habitats and coastal uplands and occurs from the south Atlantic coast to Texas.
It forms compact, seemingly manicured mounds in dunes that are accumulating sand and tends to disappear from eroding landscapes. On South Padre Island, it shows up on both the windward and leeward slopes of the primary dunes, where it flowers and fruits year-round. It is abundant in Galveston, too, where it blooms as late as December.
Its small flowers lack petals and yield small clusters of green berries.
References
Lonard, R., & Judd, F. (2009). The Biological Flora of Coastal Dunes and Wetlands: Croton punctatus N. von Jacquin. Journal of Coastal Research, 25(1), 23-149.
