FNPS Plant Database

Chrysophyllum oliviforme

satinleaf
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

satinleaf

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Chrysophyllum oliviforme

Family:

Sapotaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

15-30 ft tall by 10-30 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

purple,black

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms all year. Fruits mostly ripen in spring. Moderately long lived (Nelson 2003).

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

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:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

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

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, Organic

Soil pH:

Slightly acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

9B,10A,10B,11

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

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Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds, Mammals

Insect pollinated.

Birds and other wildlife consume fruit. 

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

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Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruits are edible.

General Comments:

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=Chryoliv ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


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


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.


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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