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Bursera simaruba

gumbo limbo
gumbo-limbo, west indian birch
Photo for species Bursera simaruba
Did you know?: 

Bursera simaruba is used as a living fence and fuel. Carousel horses, canoes, tool handles were made from its wood, and Haitians make drums from its trunks. The resin from this species is used to make glue, varnish, water repellent coatings, and incense. It is also used medicinally and for food and flavoring.

Randolph Femmer @ National Biological Information Infrastructure Digital Image Library.
What does this plant look like?

Gumbo limbo is a semi-deciduous shrub to tree growing 20 to 60 feet tall or more. Most commonly, male and female flowers are separate and occur on different plants. On occasion they occur separately on the same plant or more rarely within the same flower. Both male and female flowers look similar and are small pale green to white, somewhat showy, and fragrant. Flowering begins when trees become mature at 5-15 years of age. They are insect pollinated.

Gumbo limbo grows in dry and moist forests of the Caribbean region. It is most common on dry, rocky limestone hills and calcareous soils but can grow in a variety of soil types. It also occurs in alluvial valleys, coastal hummocks above the mangrove zone, and in shell mounds. It does not tolerate constantly wet soils, needing well-drained soils. It is also wind and drought tolerant.

Why monitor this species?

Gumbo limbo is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important but are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to understand better plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation.

Where is this plant found?
US States: 
FL, PR, VI
Distribution map for species Bursera simaruba
click to enlarge
Special considerations for observing: 

This species has separate male and female flowers. If you know whether the flowers you are observing are male or female (or both), please make a comment about it for that observation.

Note that individuals of this species with only male flowers will not produce fruit.

Which phenophases should I observe?
Leaves

Do you see...?

Emerging leaves
In at least 3 locations on the plant, an emerging leaf is visible. A leaf is considered "emerging" once the green tip is visible at the end of the leaf bud, but before it has fully unfolded to expose the petiole (leaf stalk) or leaf base. More...

Young unfolded leaves
In at least 3 locations on the plant, a young unfolded leaf is visible. A leaf is considered "young" and "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible, but before the leaf has reached full size or turned the darker green color of mature leaves on the plant. The leaf may need to be bent backwards to see whether the petiole or leaf base is visible.

Flowers

Do you see...?

Open flowers
In at least 3 locations on the plant, an open fresh flower is visible. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include spent (wilted) flowers that remain on the plant.

Full flowering
For the whole plant, at least half (50%) of the flowers are open and still fresh.

Fruits

Do you see...?

Ripe fruits
In at least 3 locations on the plant, a ripe fruit is visible. (For a more specific description of this phenophase, please check the plant species profile.) Check back later in the season for specific information to identify ripe fruits for this species.

For more information
USDA PLANTS Profile for gumbo limbo (BUSI)
ITIS Profile for gumbo limbo (28766)