FNPS Plant Database

Bursera simaruba

gumbo-limbo, tourist tree
  • Photo by: Kari Ruder, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

gumbo-limbo, tourist tree

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Bursera simaruba

Family:

Burseraceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

20-30 (60) ft tall by 20-30 (50) ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,green,NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Briefly deciduous in late winter or drought.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Plant as a specimen tree to show off its bronze-colored peeling bark. Also makes a good shade tree.

Considerations:

Availability:

Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Cuttings and seed. Branches that are stuck into the ground can root, but those started from seed will have a better shape.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host for dingy purplewing ( Eunica monima )


Attracts bees and other insect pollinators

Kingbirds and other flycatchers eat the fruits ( IRC , Haehle and Brookwell 1999).

Native Habitats:

Moist hammocks, dry hammocks, dry hardwood forests, coastal uplands, urban areas

Natural Range in Florida:

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Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This tree has a thick trunk and both the trunk and branches can twist into interesting shapes. The bark is red to bronze and peels. It's also called the tourist tree, who also may be reddish and peeling.

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+), Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Burssima ). Accessed 2025. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Watkins, John and Thomas Sheehan. (1975). Florida Landscape Plants, Native and Exotic. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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