Casasia clusiifolia
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Seven-year-apple
Rubiaceae
Also known as Genipa clusiifolia, Genipa aculeata
Plant Specifics
| Form: | Tree | |
| Size: | 10-12 (25) ft tall by 15 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | White | |
| Fruit Color: | Yellow,green,black | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen. Blooms year round. | |
| Noted for: | Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Specimen plant, hedge plant. Large shrub to small tree. Large, showy, shiny leaves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerations: | Dioecious (separate male and female plants), so both male and female are required to get fruits. Mature fruits are not attractive (young fruits are nice looking) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propagation: | Male and female flowers on different plants, so need to plant both to get fruits. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availability: | Native nurseries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| (Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Short very dry periods) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: | Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Short very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance: | Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil or other substrate: | Humus (organic, upland), Lime rock, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil pH: | Calcareous (high pH) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ecology
| Wildlife: |
Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals. Mockingbirds specifically are reported to enjoy the fruits. | |
| Insects: | Larval host plant for tantalus sphinx (Aellopus tantalus) moths. Nectar plant for mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion) and other butterflies. | |
| Native Habitats: | Coastal hammocks. |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11
USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures
Comments
| Ethnobotany: | Wood has been used for tools such as rifle handles. Fruit is edible when fully ripe (black), but not tasty to many people. |