FNPS Plant Database

Casasia clusiifolia

seven-year-apple
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

seven-year-apple

Synonym(s):

Genipa clusiifolia, Genipa aculeata

Genus species:

Casasia clusiifolia

Family:

Rubiaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

Tree

Size:

10–12 (25) ft tall by 15 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

yellow, green, black

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms year round

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant, hedge plant. Large shrub to small tree. Large, showy, shiny leaves.

Considerations:

Dioecious (separate male and female plants), so both male and female are required to get fruits. Mature fruits are not attractive (young fruits are nice looking).

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Male and female flowers on different plants, so need to plant both to get fruits.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -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, Loam

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

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

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host plant for tantalus sphinx (Aellopus tantalus) moths. Nectar plant for mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion) and other butterflies.

Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals. Mockingbirds specifically are reported to enjoy the fruits.

Native Habitats:

Coastal hammocks

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Wood has been used for tools such as rifle handles. Fruit is edible when fully ripe (black), but not tasty to many people.

General Comments:

FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Sevenyear-apple. Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Casaclus ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, FL.


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


Jordan, Deane. (2020). Seven Year Apple - Eat the Weeds. ( http://www.eattheweeds.com/genipa-clusiifolia-an-acquired-taste-2/ ). Accessed 2026.

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, FL.

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