Might have been Brazillian Pepper Tree. If it is, toss the seeds in the trash. It's an invasive exotic that the state is trying to eliminate.

We also have a few Fl. Hollies (Ilex)which are native to the area. I've put in a link for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fl. Hollies

Where on Big Pine Key? I can get my FIL to go by with his phone and send me a photo that I can post. Heck, he can probably tell us to.

~dianne

Do a google.com search for Beautyberry (Callicarpa) and see if that's what you have.

thanks for the replies, it isn't the Brazilian pepper.The berries are the right size and color, but the groupings of them are smaller and spaced out over the plant more. The plant was near Avenue B, it's a RV park.I wish I'd payed better attention, there may be more than 1 avenue B on the island, I remember a brown sign ( pretty big) and a closed business ( restaraunt maybe?) where you turn in to go to the RV place. There are also homes in the area. The closed business may have been brown too, you turn off the main road and you go down a short stretch of road parallel to the main road before you turn to go where my friends RV is. She is in Pa too so she can't help your FIL find it. If he's from there he probably will find it, also it's only a few minutes from the Win dixie, the one diagonal from a pet store. If your pulling out from Win dixie you go left. Okay my friend called and I asked her and she said it is off route 1 and it's Castaway RV park. The plant is on Avenue B or near it. I took a walk up and down Ave B and the road near it crossways sort of like a + sign.The berries should still be on the plant cause those I took are still fresh looking. There are no flowers on the plant, just leaves and berries.I appreciate this, thank you. If they are invasives by chance I am back home in Pa and they are gonna be house plants if they like container life and won't like our outdoor winters.

I agree that is sounds like beauty berry.

Picture of beauty berry.