Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

mastic, false mastic, wild olive

Synonym(s):

Mastichodendron foetidissimum

Genus species:

Sideroxylon foetidissimum

Family:

Sapotaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

30-60 (70) ft tall by 30-50 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

yellow,orange

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers early summer. Fruits ripen late winter-early spring. Life span about 100 yrs. (Nelson).

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree. Can be used in settings such as parking lot edges, street tree, etc.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed, cuttings.

Light:

Full 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, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds, Mammals

Attracts insect pollinators

Povides good cover. 





Birds and small mammals are attracted to the fruit.

Native Habitats:

Tropical hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

The fruits are edible raw, but the latex is very sticky. The wood is used for ship building in the West Indies.

General Comments:

Interesting buttressed trunks.