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

Coming Soon!

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

Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds, Mammals

Insect pollinated.

Birds and other wildlife consume fruit. 

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruits are edible.

General Comments: