Common Name:

satinleaf

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Chrysophyllum oliviforme

Family:

Sapotaceae

Form:

tree

Size:

15-30 ft tall by 10-30 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial; moderately long lived (Nelson 2003)

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

purple, black

Phenology:

evergreen; blooms all year, with fruits mostly ripening in spring

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree. Valued for its foliage which is shiny green on top and silky brown beneath.

Considerations:

Slow growing. May be top-killed by frost in extreme northern parts of its range or when planted to the north of its natural range. Does resprout from the roots.

Availability:

Propagation:

Said to be difficult to establish, but small seedlings transplant well.

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Organic (muck), Lime Rock

Soil pH:

slightly acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

9B, 10A, 10B, 11

Wildlife:

Birds and other wildlife consume fruit.

insect pollinated

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammocks

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

Fruits are edible.

General Comments: