Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Dick Diener

Nomenclature

Common Name:

paradise tree, bitterwood

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Simarouba glauca

Family:

Simaroubaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

30-50 ft tall by up to 30 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

purple

Phenology:

Evergreen. Inconspicuous blooms in spring. Fruits ripen in summer.

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree.

Considerations:

As the tree matures its roots, which are close to the surface, can become a hazard to paved surfaces by causing upheaval. Frost sensitive, do not plant north of its range. Drops smaller branches when exposed to high winds (this is its protection mechanism for surviving hurricanes, but a bit on the messy side.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. Plant when fresh.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Broadly tolerant

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds

Pollinated by bees

Fruits eaten and dispersed by birds

Native Habitats:

Coastal hammocks extending up the coast to mid-peninsula in coastal hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: