Clusia grandiflora

Botanical Description

Clusia grandiflora is an evergreen climbing plant that can grow high into the forest canopy or remain a small tree up to 10 metres tall with stilt roots. Similar to many species of figs (Ficus spp.), this plant often begins life as an epiphyte, with the seed germinating in the fork of a tree. Eventually, the plant sends down several aerial roots which, once they reach the soil root into the ground and supply the plant with nutrients. This allows it to grow faster than the host tree, whilst the aerial roots thicken and start to constrict the host tree. Eventually smaller hosts will die and this species remains[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. , 528 Title Indicador de Madeiras e Plantas Uteis do Brasil. Publication Author Fonseca E. T. De Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Officinas graphicas Villas-Boas & Co.; Rio de Janeiro Year 1922 ISBN Description Brief details of some of the uses of Brazilian plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. A handsome plant with large, white rose-tinted flowers, each from 17 - 20cm in diameter and leathery leaves up to 45cm long and 17cm wide. It is rare in cultivation.