In Florida it is spreading on sandy shores and in areas disturbed by hurricanes. It forms dense stands and destroys reptiles breeding sites. The var. equisetifolia and var.
Many morphological features are very variable.
Males start to flower in the second year whereas females one year later. They can also be water-dispersed. Usually, there are two main flowering and fruiting seasons although some fruits are often produced all year round, but in Hawaii and Puerto Rico flowering and fruiting are irregular. Seeds are produced annually. Roots have nodules with symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria.