Elaeodendron xylocarpum
Elaeodendron xylocarpum
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Marble tree is found wild in Puerto Rico at elevations from sea level to around 300 metres; growing in areas where the mean annual rainfall ranges from 750 - 1,800mm[1]. Moderately intolerant of shade, the plant can persist and grow slowly under low forest but needs to be open-grown or at least have broken sunlight in order to flower and fruit[1]. The species is drought-tolerant and usually grows on excessively well-drained situations such as beaches, bluffs, rocky headlands, and rocky ridges[1]. Marble tree often grows out of cracks in rocks, it is most often seen in areas of limestone and ultramafic (serpentine) rocks[1]. Marble tree grows slowly. A one metre tall sapling with a basal diameter of 1.5cm growing in the understory of low basal area moist forest had 37 annual rings[1]. Individuals as large as 20cm in diameter at breast height must be several decades old[1]. The plant is supported by an extensive shallow and deep lateral root system with sinkers and sometimes a discernable taproot. The roots are orange and stiff[1]. The bark has an odour of licorice when broken[2]. Management of the species should include protection from fire and from commercial development of habitat. Existing understory seedlings and saplings could be released from competition by thinning or eliminating the overstory in patches[1].
Propagation
Seed - A collection of air-dried seeds in Puerto Rico averaged 3.19 +0.076 g/seed or 313 seeds/kg. Sown in commercial potting mix, they began germinating in 26 days and completed 82 percent germination. The species can also be propagated by asexual means. Fifty-six and 21 percent, respectively, of air layers and misted cuttings treated with IBA rooted. The newly formed roots are fragile and easily broken off during transplanting[1]. The seeds are probably dispersed by fruit bats. Seedlings and saplings are relatively common in and around Puerto Rican stands of the species[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Elaeodendron+xylocarpum>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions — Francis J.K. (Editor) · USDA; Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestr · 2000 · http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/wildland_shrubs.htm ↩︎An excellent series of papers, in PDF format, from various authors giving quite detailed information on a range of shrubs growing in the United States and its Territories. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
- [2]Flowering Plants of Jamaica — Adams. C.D. · University of the West Indies; Jamaica. · 1972 ↩︎A terse treatment of the flowering plants of Jamaica, with a botanical description of each plant, notes on habitat etc.
- [3]The Bahama Flora — Britton N.L.; Millspaugh C.F. · Britton N.L.; Millspaugh C.F., New York. · 1920 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎A botanical description, often accompanied by the plants habitat, of the Flora of the Bahamas.
- [4]Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory — Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M. · U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service · 1987 ↩︎A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.