# Gumbo Limbo (*Bursera simaruba*) The Gumbo Limbo tree is known for its smooth, reddish-brown bark and can grow very tall! It provides shade and is often called the 'tourist tree' because its bark peels like a sunburn. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Chacah, Tourist Tree ![Gumbo Limbo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sonnenbrandbaum1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Louise Wolff ( darina ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sonnenbrandbaum1.jpg) ## Appearance The Gumbo Limbo is easily recognized by its shiny, reddish-brown bark that peels off in thin, papery flakes, revealing a smoother, lighter green layer underneath. It has an irregular, spreading crown with many twisted branches and glossy, compound green leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Burseraceae - **Genus:** Bursera ## Interesting facts - Its nickname, "Tourist Tree," comes from its red, peeling bark, reminding people of sunburnt tourists! - The clear resin from its trunk was traditionally used as a natural glue and even a varnish! - The lightweight wood is sometimes carved into small canoes or toys in its native range. - This tree is a relative of the famous Frankincense tree, known for its fragrant resin! ## Special abilities - **Sunburn Tree Style:** Gumbo Limbo has distinctive peeling bark that helps reflect intense sunlight and shed climbing vines, keeping it healthy and clear. - **Hurricane Hero:** Gumbo Limbo can quickly regrow branches and leaves after severe damage, helping it recover fast from strong storms like hurricanes. - **Living Fence Builder:** Gumbo Limbo can grow from cuttings stuck directly into the ground, allowing people to create living fences that root and grow. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1000-2500 cm - **Spread:** 500-1500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer, sometimes year-round in tropical climates - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits small flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** Blue-grey Tanager (*Thraupis episcopus*) — Feeds on the small red fruits, spreading seeds. - **Shelter:** [Great Kiskadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-kiskadee) (*Pitangus sulphuratus*) — Builds nests among its branches, protected by foliage. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful not to touch the bark too much, as it can be a little rough. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Gumbo Limbo? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Gumbo Limbo? 1000-2500 cm ### How wide does Gumbo Limbo spread? 500-1500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Gumbo Limbo? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Gumbo Limbo bloom? Spring to early summer, sometimes year-round in tropical climates ### Is Gumbo Limbo edible? Yes ### Is Gumbo Limbo toxic? None ### What is Gumbo Limbo's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Boca Chita Key Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boca-chita-key-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Marie Selby Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marie-selby-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Curry Hammock State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/curry-hammock-state-park) — Florida, US · State Park [View all places to see Gumbo Limbo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/gumbo-limbo) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Gumbo Limbo: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gumbo-limbo)