Amyris elemifera
Photo by John Bradford. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 9B
2002-2022, Copyright Florida Native Plant Society
Torchwood, Sea Torchwood
Rutaceae
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 15-20 (40) ft | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | White | |
| Fruit Color: | Purple,black | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen. Blooms spring-fall. | |
| Habitats: | Coastal uplands |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Noted for its 3-parted glossy leaves. Can be used as as a specimen plant, screen, or possibly a hedge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| Moisture Tolerance: | Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of inundation with brackish water | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
The fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals. Also used for cover or nesting by birds.
Larval host plant for Bahamian swallowtail (Heraclides andraemon), giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) and Schaus' swallowtail (Heraclides aristodemus) butterflies.