Native to Tropical America, Duranta erecta (Golden Dewdrop) is a fast-growing, usually thorny, evergreen shrub or small tree sporting shiny rich green leaves and loose clusters, 6 in. long (15 cm), of ravishing, vibrant violet-blue flowers, often edged in white. Blooming in summer to fall (throughout the year when hardy), the blossoms are borne on arching, sometimes droopy and vinelike branches. They give way to drooping clusters of golden berries, hence the common name Golden Dewdrop. Highly ornamental, they ripen in late summer to fall. While birds feast on them, these berries are poisonous to people and most animals. Duranta erecta is a spreading plant that tends to be semi-weeping, but it can be kept as a rounded shrub. Extremely easy to grow, Duranta erecta is widely grown as an ornamental in subtropical and tropical areas.