Common Name:

General Information

Clusia rosea is an evergreen tree with a very broad, dense, spreading crown; it can grow up to 18 metres tall. The usually short bole can be 60cm in diameter, usually with prop roots at the base[, ]. Similar to many species of figs (Ficus spp.), this plant often begins life as an epiphyte, with the seed germinating in the fork of a tree. Eventually, the plant sends down several aerial roots which, once they reach the soil root into the ground and supply the plant with nutrients. This allows it to grow faster than the host tree, whilst the aerial roots thicken and start to constrict the host tree. Eventually the host dies and this species remains[, ].
The tree has a number of local uses and is often harvested from the wild for its wood, latex and medicinal applications. It is often cultivated as an ornamental and street tree in the Tropics, where it is valued especially for its large, showy flowers[].

Known Hazards

The ball-like fruits are not edible and are considered to be poisonous, though they are eaten by bats[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad to Bahamas; SE N. America - Florida.

Habitat

Banks and hillsides in forests[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Bats
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to partial shade[]. Prefers a well-drained soil[].Plants can thrive in a variety of environments, from dry barren lava landscapes to steep cliffs in wet areas[]. Established plants are drought tolerant, and can also tolerate periodic inundation of the soil[]. The heavy foliage is salt tolerant and so this species can be grown in exposed positions near the coast[].
Often grown as an ornamental, plants can spread readily into surrounding areas, presumably due to bird-dispersed seeds. It has become invasive in some areas and this, coupled with the tree's habit of strangling and killing more valuable trees in the forest, has led to it being classed as a forest pest[, , ].
This species uses the ' Crassulacean Acid Metabolism' (CAM) pathway to photosynthesis, a mechanism which aids in conserving moisture. This type of mechanism is also used by cacti and other succulents. In Clusia, CAM is useful during the epiphytic seedling stage until aerial roots are able to reach the ground and draw up nutrients and moisture[].
This species is unique in that it belongs to the only genus of plants capable of absorbing carbon dioxide during the night[].
The plant can be in flower or fruit all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are require[]. One report says that only functionally female flowers are known and that the tree produces seed apomictically (an asexual process)[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The resinous latex obtained from the plant is used medicinally and as a plaster[]. The latex is balsamic, bitter and purgative[].

The flowwers are bechic (they relieve coughs)[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree has been planted on the edges of beaches to prevent soil erosion[].

Other Uses

The tree, especially the bark and surrounding the seeds inside the fruit, contains a yellow, resinous latex[]. It hardens upon exposure to the air and has been used for caulking boats, medicinal purposes etc[].

The early Spanish conquistadores in the West Indies made playing cards of the thick, leathery, paddle-like leaves, drawing the figures and spots with a pin and shuffling these substitutes in their gambling games in the absence of regular cards. Another early use was for writing paper. It is possible to write words etc upon the leaves, using a finger nail or pin etc., and this writing will remain on the leaf[, , ].

The heartwood is reddish-brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the lighter coloured sapwood. Texture is medium to fine; grain is straight; lustre medium; without growth rings; there is no discernible taste or aroma in seasoned wood. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, very susceptible to attack by drywood termites. The rate of air-seasoning and amount of degrade are moderate. It is moderately difficult to saw and machine. Machining characteristics are as follows : planing and boring are fair, though tearing and crushing may occur frequently; and shaping, turning, mortising, sanding, and resistance to screw splitting are good; glueing and polishing are good. The wood is used mainly for fenceposts, rural construction, and crossties. It is suitable also for light and heavy construction, cheap furniture, farm implement parts, and tool handles[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings
Air layering

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