Gumbo Limbo, Tourist Tree, Torchwood, Dysentery Bark (Bursera simaruba)

Gumbo Limbo, Tourist Tree, Torchwood, Dysentery Bark
Bursera simaruba

Natural coastal Gumbo Limbo hardwood hammock, southeast FL, USA. Notice the bark.

Note: The large shrub in front of the Gumbo Limbo in the center of the picture is Wild Coffee. You can also see Saw Palmettos in the lower left-hand area of the picture - see the fronds?

NativePlantFan9

All those trunks of trees in the background just to the left of the Gumbo Limbo in the center of the picture are other Gumbo Limbos.

This message was edited Jan 15, 2005 11:22 AM

I know the Gumbo Limbo from the Everglades. Love them and their name, of course.

I really like them, too. They are native to central and southern Florida and the Keys, down into the Caribbean, in zones 9a through 11.

A good place in the Everglades to see it is in Everglades National Park on the southern tip of Florida, such as along the Gumbo Limbo and Royal Palm Trails near the eastern entrance, and in other nearby areas.

They also grow up the coasts as far north as St. Petersburg and Titusville/Cape Canaveral.

The bark is really interesting... do you know why the bark earns the Gumbo Limbo the nickname "Tourist Tree"? I just want to see if you know - I know, but see if you can guess if you don't know.

I took this photograph in southeastern Florida in a park on the barrier island near the ocean. The hammock and Gumbo Limbos shown in the picture are on the backside of the dune, which is protected from direct exposure to salt and high winds. It's really amazing... I have never seen Gumbo Limbos growing so close to the ocean. They usually grow slightly further inland.

They can even grow as far west as U.S. 441, almost to the Everglades! They are becoming very popular as landscape trees in my area and all over south and central Florida.

Have you ever been to Florida? Do you know a lot about native flora?

NativePlantFan9

I appreciate your responses very much... thanks!

I know the bark is very rusty colored, but no idea about the tourist thing except that I for one as a tourist took lots of photos of them. Is that why? I certainly would want to grow one if I lived in your area! Love them.

My family drove down to FL from NJ in the 50's twice. So I was in Miami and Islamorada (Key) for a week as a kid. Then Miami in the 80's. Ft. Lauderdale in the 90's. Since then, I have been to both eastern (Flamingo) and western areas (Everglade City) of the everglades and spent a week for two winters in the panhandle (Cape San Blas near the preserve) (landed in Tallahasee-stopped at cuckoo Wakulla Springs on the way, ate oysters a lot in Appalachicola). One time we drove down the coast to Cedar Key, inland to Ocala, etc. We are birders so we go where the birds are. On my latest trip last Feb., we landed in Tampa, went to Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and many central area birding spots (Corkscrew Swamp!!), then we ended up in Everglade City for a few marvellous days of alligators and birds. I always learn a bit more about native flora each time we go, but it isn't my main focus. I've never had any interest in the Orlando area and I sent my kids (now grown) with class trips so I wouldn't have to take them.

Here's why the Gumbo Limbo got it's nickname the "Tourist Tree":

The bark is red and peeling, making it look like a sunburned tourist (something that must have been common in the early days of Florida, in the times before the 1900s... hot sun, lots of mosquitoes). Funny, isn't it?

Neat that you've been to ALL THOSE places in Florida. I am a big fan of going outdoors and exploring "The Real Florida", or wild areas and preserves, parks, national parks, state parks, recreation sites, natural areas, national forests, etc. of Florida (besides the theme parks).

I've heard many or all of those areas in Florida you've been to are great areas for viweing wildlife and getting to know about native flora... especially the Everglades, Corkscrew Swamp, Everglades National Park (including Everglades City and the Ten Thousand Islands - did you view them?), Wakulla Springs, Appalachicola, Cedar Key, Ocala National Forest, Sanibel/Captiva/Cayo Costa/Gasparilla Islands, Boca Grande, southwest and west (especially upper west) coasts of Florida, the Panhandle such as Cape San Blas, and many other areas.

Have you ever been to the Big Cypress/Fakahatchee Swamp in the western Everglades?

Have you also ever visited Canaveral National Seashore, St. Augustine and the northeast and east-central coasts of Florida?

You would love it at both areas!

Have you also ever visited central Florida natutal areas, such as around Osprey (town) and Lake Osprey?

NativePlantFan9

The Keys are also great for wildlife viweing. Have you ever been to these following areas?

Biscayne National Park
Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge
Bahia Honda Key State Recreation Area
Lignumvitae Key
Bill Baggs Cape Florida (Key Biscayne) State Park - site of historic lighthouse
Big Pine Key
No Name Key

Please respond and tell me where else you have been! I'd really like to know.

This message was edited Jan 17, 2005 10:49 PM

Funny about the tourist tree!!

Wow lots more places to go!!! I've been to Fakahatchee Swamp this past Feb. Heaven. Never been to any northeast or east central nature places (never been to Canaveral NS)-was driven through St. Augustine as a kid (not a strong memory). Never been to Osprey or Lake Osprey. Did take a boat ride through the Ten Thousand Islands. Never been to any nature stuff in the Keys. I DID sample thirty different Key Lime Pies though. The best was in Flamingo-nutmeg in the crust made the flavor sublime. I'm going to hafta print your list for my next FL trip!!