Family: Burseraceae

A medium-sized tree that is sparingly naturalizing in Hawaiʻi. Native to Central America and Mexico, B. simaruba is commonly called gumbo limbo, turpentine tree, or tourist tree.

Gumbo limbo thrives in Hawaiʻi’s tropical climate, especially the dry areas. Reportedly, stands are naturalizing in the Kailua-Kona area on Hawaiʻi Island. This fast-growing tree absorbs and holds a lot of water, causing the branches to become heavy and break under the weight. Besides that, the strong roots lift sidewalks, crack roads and are a tripping hazard. New recruits have a light advantage over native plants, enabling gumbo limbo to form monotypic stands-even in the shade.

Dispersed by birds and mammals, gumbo limbo also spreads by vegetative parts. A fallen limb readily grows into a full-sized tree. Turpentine-like resin produced by gumbo limbo creates a fire hazard in the dry areas it inhabits. The unusual red bark peeling from the trunk earned gumbo limbo the nickname ‘tourist tree,’ invoking the image of sunburnt tourists peeling skin.

Description and Dispersal:

• Medium sized, deciduous tree with an irregular crown
  
• Persisting red bark peels from trunk
  
• Turpentine order is emitted when leaves are crushed
  
• Leaves are alternately arranged, consisting of 7 to 9 shiny green leaflets
  
• Inconspicuous flowers are born in panicles
  
• Dark purple fruits are drupes, held in clusters, each containing 3 seeds
  
• Short distance dispersal by birds and long distance by humans

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating some environmental versatility
  
• Naturalized in Kona, Hawaii and possibly naturalized in Bermuda
  
• Branches break easily
  
• Combustible resin in bark and wood could increase fire risk
  
• Facultatively Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reported to form pure stands
  
• Can reproduce vegetatively
  
• Viable seeds dispersed by birds and other frugivorous animals
  
• Regenerates swiftly after cutting and fires

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of detrimental impacts or invasiveness to date (but not widely cultivated)
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Fodder tree (palatable to grazing animals)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Reaches maturity in 5-15 years
  
• Mostly self-incompatible (selfing rare)