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bucida

Scientific Name: Bucida

Family: Combretaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Bucida: An Overview

The genus Bucida belongs to the Indian almond family, Combretaceae. This plant profile provides information on several Bucida species, including the popular Bucida buceras and Bucida spinosa.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • Bucida spinosa, also known as Spiny Black Olive or Prickly Tree, has thorns.
  • Bucida buceras is known to cause staining.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Bucida L. (genus)
  • Family: Combretaceae (Indian almond family)
  • Bucida buceras L. is a species within this genus.
  • Synonyms for Bucida buceras include:
    • Buceras bucida Crantz
    • Bucida wigginsiana Miranda
  • There is also mention of an older classification, with Bucida buceras having been moved to Terminalia buceras (L.) C. Wright.

Common Names

  • Bucida buceras: Bullet tree, Black olive tree, Gregorywood (or gregory)
  • Bucida spinosa: Ming Tree, Brier-tree, Prickly tree, Spiny Black Olive

Distribution and Habitat

  • Bucida buceras is considered native to the Yucatan peninsula and along the coast of Mexico. Its native status to the upper Florida Keys is debated.
  • Bucida spinosa is native to Cuba, The Bahamas, the upper Florida Keys, and Puerto Rico.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Bucida spinosa can grow as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 5-10 ft as a large shrub and 10-20 ft as a small tree.
  • Bucida buceras has alternate, simple, leathery, evergreen, obovate leaves.

Ecological Role

  • Bucida buceras is widely used in South Florida.

Quirky Facts

  • The "Black Olive" tree (Bucida buceras) does not produce edible olives.
  • Bucida buceras is claimed to stain.
  • One source mentions that Bucida can be used for bonsai, particularly appreciating how it grows into a bonsai almost by itself.

Further Information

  • IUCN Red List: Provides information on Bucida ophiticola (http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38808A10149775.en)
  • USF Herbarium: Provides specimen details for "BLACK OLIVE OXHORN BUCIDA."