Casasia clusiifolia

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Seven-year-apple

Rubiaceae

Also known as Genipa clusiifolia, Genipa aculeata

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, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance

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)

Propagation:Male and female flowers on different plants, so need to plant both to get fruits.
Availability:Native nurseries
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Short very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Short very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).
Soil or other substrate:Humus (organic, upland), Lime rock, Sand
Soil pH:Calcareous (high pH)

Ecology

Wildlife:
  

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

Insects:
  

Larval host plant for tantalus sphinx (Aellopus tantalus) moths.

Nectar plant for mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion) and other butterflies.

Native Habitats:Coastal hammocks.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

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.