Gumbo Limbo
Bursera simaruba
- Native to:
- Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Navassa Island, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © dnydick (iNaturalist #5183562)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Burseraceae
- Genus:
- Bursera
- Species:
- Bursera simaruba
- USDA Symbol:
- BUSI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Caloptilia burserella, elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), Paectes burserae, Eunica monima
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Caloptilia burserella Butterflies:⚠️Atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala), Eastern Giant (Heraclides cresphontes), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea), Statira sulphur (Phoebis statira), White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to rocky and coastal areas