Bursera ovalifolia (Schldl.) Engl.

Bursera simaruba is medium-sized, deciduous tree, 18-30 m tall, with a relatively thick trunk and a diameter at breast height of 60-80 cm. It has large, spreading, crooked branches and thin foliage. This aromatic tree is easily recognized by the smooth, reddish-brown or copper-coloured bark, which peels off in papery flakes and exposes the greenish-brown layer beneath. Leaves compound, arranged in a spiral, 15-30 cm long, with 7-13 leaflets, each of which is 4.5-9 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Leaflets are bright or dark green, ovate-lanceolate and oblong with an acuminate apex and an asymmetric base. Flower clusters are terminal and lateral, branched and narrow; flowers are on slender, usually short stalks; male and female flowers are mostly on different trees, but some flowers are bisexual; 5 calyx -toothed; petals 5; stamens 10; pistils with a 3-celled ovary; short style; stigma 3-lobed. The drupelike fruit is diamond shaped, slightly 3 angled, pointed at both ends, dark pink, splitting into 3 parts, with usually 1 whitish, 3-angled seed.

May be either dioecious or monoecious. In Mexico, insects, especially honeybees, pollinate it. Mammals and birds disperse the seeds.

Grows on diverse soils, for example Lithosols, Vertisols and Oxisols.

Generally found in dry forests, but sometimes in wetter forests; common in advanced secondary growth.

There are no reports concerning the introduction of B. simaruba as an exotic plantation species in countries outside its natural habitat, but it is planted for amenity and landscaping purposes in Mexico and Florida, USA. Experimental plantations have been established in Costa Rica.

Forty per cent germination occurs within 20 days. The tree is also reproduced asexually by cuttings.

There is not much literature available concerning forest management of B. simaruba. In Mexico, B. simaruba is not managed and is cut down when reaching a d.b.h. of 40 cm or bigger, if it has a straight stem. As B. simaruba regenerates rapidly under natural conditions, plantations from seed are virtually unknown.

The aromatic resin of B. simaruba is a natural insect repellent, and no pests or diseases are reported for this species (NAS, 1983). In Costa Rica, white-faced monkeys eat young branch tips in May when the leaves are starting to grow, which can cause extensive damage, although the tree contains volatile terpenes which could help to protect it against subsequent defoliation.

Seed storage behaviour is orthodox. Seeds remain viable for 10 months.

Shade or shelter: Planted as a shade tree on streets and beaches. Ornamental: Because of the attractive coloured bark, the tree is planted as an ornamental in dry soils of southern Florida, where it is native. Boundary or barrier or support: Used as living fence to delimit pastures, with stakes 1-3 m long and 10-15 cm thick, and spaced 3 m apart or more.

Fodder: Branches are cut for cattle fodder. Fuel: When thoroughly dry, the wood is used as firewood or charcoal. Timber: Used for veneer, as plywood for interior use, in rustic furniture, for rough boxes and crates, as handles for tools, as soles for sandals, for match sticks and toothpicks, to build cabinets, to make decorative articles. Gum or resin: B. simaruba yields a balsam resin known as American elemi, cachibok or gomart. The resin is concentrated, dried and used in South America as incense in churches.