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Gumbo Limbo Bursera simaruba

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
BUR-ser-ah sim-ah-RUE-bah
Description

Gumbo Limbo is a large, drought-tolerant, flowering semi-evergreen tree in the Burseraceae family native to tropical regions of Florida and South America. In its native environment, it is often found in dry forests, but sometimes in wetter forests. In the wetter areas of its range, it is found on slopes where the soil is shallow and dries quickly. It has a single trunk that is smooth and red, bright green leaves, and small creamy white flowers. The fruits are edible succulent red berries. It is sometimes called the tourist tree because the bark is smooth and reddish with peeling pieces, resembling a tourist's sunburned skin. The genus name honors Joachim Burser (1583-1649), a German physician and botanist. The species name was chosen by Linnaeus and refers to Simarouba amara (at various times spelled Simaruba). He knew both plants to be medicinal and native to Central America and northern South America.

Gumbo Limbo can be grown in full sun and tolerates sandy, loamy, or clay soils that are well-drained. It will do well in neutral or alkaline soils and prefers dry or moist soil. Once established, it can tolerate drought, strong winds, and moderate maritime exposure. This tree is considered highly tolerant of tropical storm damage, but is frost tender. Propagate by seed or small branch cuttings (larger branches may produce a tree with no taproot and have reduced structural integrity). Farmers sometimes cut branches and stick them into the ground, producing a "living fence" to delineate property lines and pastures. This tree typically sheds its foliage during the drier, winter season or in the spring as new growth is pushed out.

The tree is low maintenance and can be pruned back hard. It is a dioecious species, meaning both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required. The tree typically sees duty as a shade or street tree. It was used by the Maya as an incense and is still concentrated, dried and used in modern South America as incense in churches.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or pest issues. Surface roots sometimes rise up and cause issues with mowing and sidewalk heaving. The lowest branches of mature trees can sweep close to the ground, which can be an asset for an accent tree in an open space, but less desirable on a pathway. Early pruning is highly recommended for street trees.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade tree#interesting bark#semi-evergreen#large tree#fast growing#wind tolerant#small flowers#tropical tree#red bark#storm damage resistant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade tree#interesting bark#semi-evergreen#large tree#fast growing#wind tolerant#small flowers#tropical tree#red bark#storm damage resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Bursera
    Species:
    simaruba
    Family:
    Burseraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood is soft and light, ideal as veneer, plywood, rustic furniture, match sticks and toothpicks. When dried, it is used as firewood or charcoal. The wood was used to carve carousel horses.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northeast coast of South America, Central America to Florida
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds, butterflies and bees. This tree is the larval host for the dingy purplewing butterfly.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 32 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Irregular
    Open
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The flowers are followed by 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, elliptic fruits which mature over the course of a year from olive green to maroon and contain a three-sided, red nutlet.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small creamy white or pale green flowers in spike-like panicles at the ends of the branches in late winter or spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The pinnately compound, 6 to 8 inch long leaves are made up of five (occasionally three or seven), oblong to ovate leaflets reaching up to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide with oblique (asymmetrical) bases and pointed tips.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Peeling
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, shiny and reddish brown, and exfoliates in small, thin flakes. The bark produces American elemi, a balsam resin used in varnishes and as a gum arabic substitute.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil