Clusiaceae (Clusia)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Clusia (rosea)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Clusiaceae

Family Common Name:
Mangosteen Family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Clusia

Species:
rosea

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Jacq.

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Gary Briggs

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
Autograph tree

Species Code:
CLUROS

Ecotype:
Cultivated in St. Croix with few plants existing in the wild.

General Distribution:
C. rosea is found throughout the West Indies from Bahamas to Cuba to Trinidad. Very rare is Florida Keys. Found also in southern Mexico to Colombia, Venezuela and French Guiana

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
3 gallon

Grow Time:
0

Target Specifications:
Height: 24 to 26 inches
Caliper: n/a
Root Plug: Firm root plug in 3 gallon container.

Propagation Collection:
C. rosea fruits most heavily in late summer but sporadically throughout the year. When fully ripe, it opens at ripeness into 7-9 parts, exposing seeds and orange flesh. It does not give much indication of ripening. Fruits should be taken directly from the tree because ants and bats consume fruit very quickly.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Seed has no endocarp, does not like to be handled and does not seem to store well.
Maintain seeds in the ripe fruit until time of planting (as with citrus). Do not extract seeds from fruit pulp as they desiccate VERY quickly. Plant whole mass together.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Break apart fruits and smear fruit pulp and seeds onto a paper towel. Plant the towel covered with seeds,immediately and cover lightly with growing media and irrigate until thorughly watered. immediately and cover with thin layer of potting material.
Plante into open flats using a commercial potting soil.
Germination %: Close to 100%.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:

Establishment Phase:
Maintain in germination tray for about a month. Root structure will be developed, but still quite fragile. Remove seedlings from germination flar by teasing the seedlings apart in water to remove soil from roots.Transplant into individual containers.

Length of Establishment Phase:

Active Growth Phase:
Seedlings grow very quickly and can be planted in large pots (up to 3 gallon) to avoid transplanting and future handling.
Mortality is low under 10%.

Length of Active Growth Phase:

Hardening Phase:
Salable size in a 3 gallon pot is about 24-30".

Length of Hardening Phase:

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
C. rosea is highly drought tolerant and will perform well on harsh sites.
C. rosea occurs as an epiphyte and a free standing tree. It is reported to be a parasite or strangler in other parts of the world, but this is rarely observed in St. Croix.

References:
Little, E.J., Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Agriculture Handbook No. 249 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Washington, D.C. 548 pp.
Jones, K., 1995 Native Trees for Community Forests. St. George Village Botanical Garden of St Croix, Inc. 124 pp.

Citation:
Briggs, Gary. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Clusia rosea Jacq. plants 3 gallon; Geographic Consulting LLC Estate Calquohoun, St Croix,, Virgin Islands. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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