Clusia rosea
COMMON NAME | Autograph tree or
pitch-apple |
TYPE | Tree |
FAMILY | Clusiaceae |
NOTES | This tropical tree
thrives in Hawaii where it can reach heights of 65 feet. The smooth green
leaves are about 6 inches by 5 inches and arranged opposite each other. The
pinkish flowers are short-lived and have approximately 6 to 8 petals. The
numerous seed capsules split open to reveal many red seeds contained within.
As a hemiepiphyte, this tree begins its life as a epiphyte attached to a host
tree or other structure, much like the strangler fig, or from the ground. The
black material surrounding these seeds was once used to caulk the seams of
boats leading to the name pitch apple. The leathery leaves can be scratched
with the scratches remaining on the leaves until they fall, thus autograph
tree. |
GEOGRAPHIC REGION | Carribean |
NATIVE HABITAT | Banks and hillsides
in forests |
WEB SOURCES |
