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Clusia rosea

autograph tree

Clusiaceae

Caribbean, Florida, Central America, northern South America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Watermoderate · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Clusia rosea is the autograph tree (pitch apple), growing 120–300 inches (300–750 cm) tall and 120–240 inches (300–600 cm) wide. The common name refers to the thick leathery leaves 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) — scratching initials or text into the leaf surface produces visible marks that persist as the leaf grows, like writing on wet leather. White to pink waxy flowers 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) in summer. Green to brown round fruit 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) that splits open when ripe, revealing bright red seeds coated in a sticky resin (pitch), giving the alternate common name 'pitch apple.' Hemiepiphytic: in the wild, seeds germinate in tree canopy crevices and send aerial roots downward — over time, the aerial roots thicken and strangle the host tree (similar to strangler figs, Ficus spp.). Thick leathery dark green obovate leaves. Native to the Caribbean, southern Florida, Central America, and northern South America. Classified as invasive in Hawaii, where it colonizes native forest. Salt-tolerant — suited to coastal plantings. Mildly toxic to dogs and cats (the resinous latex). Aerial roots develop on the trunk and branches. Full sun to partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established. Deer-resistant. Growth rate is moderate. Containers of 10+ gallons (40+ liters) indoors as a foliage plant. Frost-tender: foliage damage at 32°F (0°C). Zones 10–11.

Native Range

Native to the Caribbean, southern Florida (native), Central America, and northern South America. Invasive in Hawaii.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a hedge, specimen, or indoor foliage plant in zones 10–11 or in containers of 10+ gallons (40+ liters). Salt-tolerant for coastal positions. The autograph-able leaves are a conversation feature. Check invasiveness regulations (Hawaii). Mildly toxic to pets. Deer-resistant.

How to Identify

Identified by thick leathery dark green obovate leaves that can be 'autographed' (scratched text persists in the leaf surface) on an evergreen tree with aerial roots. The thick leathery leaf texture and the autograph ability are the species identifiers. Hemiepiphytic — strangler habit in the wild.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 25'

Width/Spread10' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

White to pink waxy flowers 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) in summer (June–August). Round green to brown fruit splits open to reveal bright red seeds in sticky resin. The thick leathery foliage is the year-round feature.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pink, waxy, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm)

Foliage Description

Dark green, thick, leathery, obovate, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Salt-tolerant (coastal plantings). Drought-tolerant once established. Hemiepiphytic — aerial roots develop on trunk and branches. Invasive in Hawaii. Mildly toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Frost-tender at 32°F (0°C). Zones 10–11.