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Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg.

Gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderSapindalesIncludes citrus; maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees and rambutans; mangos and cashews; frankincense and myrrh; mahogany and neem
FamilyBurseraceaeThe torchwood family, the frankincense and myrrh family, or simply the incense tree family—over 500 species of tropical trees and shrubs
GenusBurseraAfter botanist Joachim Burser (1583-1649)
Speciessimaruba

About plant names...

Gumbo limbo (often hyphenated) is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, including the southeastern United States. This tree is sometimes nicknamed the tourist tree, because its peeling, reddish bark resembles sunburned tourists.

Plants: 20-66′ (6-20 m) tall, with a single trunk up to 3′ (1 m) in diameter, and large, irregular branches. Its crown is about the same size around. Bark is smooth, peeling in thin layers that roll up on themselves. Outer bark is coppery red in color, while exposed new bark is whitish or silvery gray. It is resinous, and has an odor like turpentine.

Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, 6-8″ (15-20 cm) × 4-6″ (10-15 cm), on a stem (petiole) 1-3″ (3-8 cm) long. Leaflets are broadly ovate, 1½-2½″ (4-7 cm) × ¾-1¾″ (2-5 cm), and asymmetric.

Flowers: Inconspicuous racemes of flowers with 3-5 green­ish or cream-colored petals.

Fruits: Dark red, elliptic in shape, three-valved, about ½-1″ (1.3-2.5 cm) long.

Online References:

Floridata.com

Hort.ifas.ufl.edu

Wikipedia

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

References:

Nelson, Gil; Earle, Christopher J.; Spellenberg, Richard; More, David (Illus.); Hughes, Amy K. (Ed.), Trees of Eastern North America, Princeton University Press, 2014, p. 178

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/10/2015 · Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Everglades City, Florida · ≈ 6½ × 4′ (2.0 × 1.3 m)

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/15/2015 · Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge Marsh Trail, Florida ID is uncertain

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/13/2015 · Mahogany Hammock Trail, Everglades National Park, Florida · By Susan M. Kent · ≈ 4 × 6½′ (1.3 × 2.0 m)

Elaphrium simaruba (L.) Rose

Pistacia simaruba L.

 

Bursera simaruba description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/13/2015 · Mahogany Hammock Trail, Everglades National Park, Florida · By Susan M. Kent · ≈ 3 × 4½′ (97 × 146 cm)

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/14/2015 · Pinelands, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (31 × 47 cm) ID is uncertain

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/12/2015 · Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm)

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/13/2015 · Mahogany Hammock Trail, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (31 × 47 cm)

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/10/2015 · Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Everglades City, Florida

Bursera simaruba (gumbo limbo, copperwood, chaca, turpentine tree)

4/15/2015 · Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge Marsh Trail, Florida · ≈ 12 × 8″ (30 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 9b-11:

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