FNPS Plant Database

Simarouba glauca

paradise tree, bitterwood
  • 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–30 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

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

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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

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:

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:

FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Paradisetree [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Simaglau ). 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.


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Plants for a Future. (Undated). Simarouba glauca , Paradise Tree. ( https://pfaf.org/USER/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Simarouba+glauca ). Accessed 2026. Plants for a Future, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, UK.


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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