Clusia

Clusia rosea

Family: Clusiaceae

Florida native
High salt tolerance

Pet & Human Safety

Hazard to people and pets

Hazardous parts

fruit (per the same terpene finding ASPCA documents for pets; no separate human-specific source was checked)

Preparation

Not applicable: ornamental/shade tree, not a food crop.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not applicable: no sourced human-toxicity finding; see the pet-toxicity notes above for the mechanism, which was not independently checked against a human poison-control source.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA names the toxic principle as terpenes, with clinical signs of digestive upset and vomiting; the page specifically notes the fruit is considered the most toxic part. Keep pets from eating the fruit (light green, turning black, about 3 in. in diameter, splitting to reveal red seeds with black resin per UF/IFAS EDIS ST-172).

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for 'Dwarf clusia' (usually Clusia guttifera or Clusia fluminensis, PlotAndPetal's separate entry), sometimes sold as if it were a small form of this tree. To tell them apart: Leaf size: this species (Clusia rosea, the autograph tree/pitch apple) has notably larger leaves and grows into a full-size tree; dwarf clusia stays smaller with smaller leaves and is used for clipped hedges.. Dwarf clusia is a different, non-native species, not a dwarf form of this Florida-native tree: their care needs, mature sizes, and sourcing differ and should not be merged.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Not given as a specific USDA zone number; UF/IFAS EDIS ST-172 instead gives high drought and salt tolerance as the relevant planting-suitability detail for its native Florida range.
Water needs: high High drought tolerance once established; grows fastest with consistent moisture but does not require it.
Mature size: 25 to 30 ft tall, 15 to 25 ft spread; wide-spreading, densely foliated, rounded crown; moderate growth rate; short trunk.
Where it comes from: Native to Florida, the West Indies, and from Mexico to northern South America.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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