Bursera spp.
gumbo-limbo, copal, and torchwood
Seasonally dry tropical Americas; centre in Mexico
Overview
Bursera spp. is a genus of about 100 species of aromatic, resinous trees and shrubs in the family Burseraceae, native to the seasonally dry tropics and subtropics of the Americas. Plants range from low shrubs to trees 3-18 m (10-60 ft) tall, with trunks and branches that exude a fragrant resin when cut. Many species, including B. simaruba, have smooth bark that peels in thin, papery, coppery-red flakes, giving rise to common names such as gumbo-limbo and tourist tree. The leaves are pinnately compound, 5-30 cm (2-12 in) long, and mostly drought-deciduous, shed during the dry season and renewed with the rains. Small, greenish to cream flowers are followed by small three-parted drupes. The aromatic resin of several species has been burned as the incense known as copal and used in traditional medicine. Bursera spp. reaches its centre of diversity in Mexico, where dozens of species grow in tropical dry forest. The genus is frost-sensitive and adapted to long dry seasons, so it grows poorly in cold or constantly wet climates.
Native Range
Native to the warm, seasonally dry Americas, from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to northern South America. The genus is most diverse in the tropical dry forests of Mexico.Suggested Uses
Grown as drought-tolerant shade and specimen trees in tropical and subtropical gardens, as living fence posts in rural Mexico and the Caribbean, and as bonsai grown for the peeling bark. Smaller species suit dry-garden and container plantings in frost-free climates.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 60'
Width/Spread10' - 40'
Bloom Information
Flowering is tied to the rainy season in most species, often occurring as new leaves emerge from late spring into summer. The small greenish to cream flowers are inconspicuous and short-lived. Fruiting follows through the wet season, with the dry drupes persisting on bare branches into the dry months.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
greenish to creamFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Bursera spp. grows in full sun and sharp, free-draining soil, including rocky and sandy ground, and tolerates prolonged drought once established. The genus needs frost-free or nearly frost-free conditions and rots in cold, wet, or poorly drained soils. Many species are grown from large cuttings or truncheons, which root readily and are used as living fence posts in their native range. Watering is reduced sharply in the dry, dormant season to mimic natural rainfall patterns. Container plants and bonsai are kept under cover where winters are cold. Growth is moderate, faster with summer warmth and rain.Pruning
Pruning is done in the dry, leafless season to shape the canopy and remove crossing or damaged branches. The soft, resinous wood heals slowly, so large cuts are limited. Species grown as bonsai are pinched and wired during active growth to build branch structure.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons