Chrysophyllum oliviforme

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Satinleaf

Sapotaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:Tree
Size:15-30 ft tall by 10-30 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:White
Fruit Color:Purple,black
Phenology:Evergreen. Blooms all year. Fruits mostly ripen in spring. Moderately long lived (Nelson 2003).
Noted for:Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Specimen tree. Valued for its foliage which is shiny green on top and silky brown beneath.
Considerations:Slow growing. May be top-killed by frost in extreme northern parts of its range or when planted to the north of its natural range.  Does resprout from the roots.
Propagation:Said to be difficult to establish, but small seedlings transplant well.
Availability:Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
Soil or other substrate:Organic material (muck), Lime rock, Sand
Soil pH:Slightly acidic

Ecology

Wildlife:
  

Birds and other wildlife consume fruit. 

Insects:

Insect pollinated.

Native Habitats:Tropical rockland hammocks.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

Ethnobotany:Fruits are edible.