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© Sara Bárrios, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Clusia rosea
Autograph Tree
Caribbean, Florida, Central America, northern South America
At a Glance
Typetree
Habitupright-spreading
Foliageevergreen
Height120-300 inches (300-750 cm)
Width120-240 inches (300-600 cm)
Maturity8 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
10 - 11These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancetender
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). 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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 25'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
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
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
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.Pruning
Prune for shape. Tolerates heavy pruning and hedging. Remove aerial roots if undesired. The thick leathery foliage responds well to shaping.Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons