PlantFiles: Paradise Tree, Bitterwood
Simarouba glauca

Paradise Tree is a medium to tall tree native to the tropical hardwood hammocks, shell mounds, and sunny areas from coastal central Florida (zone 9b) southward through the Keys. It is a canopy-forming species that is a componant of the canopy species of the tropical hardwood hammocks of central and southern Florida and provides shelter for wildlife among it's leaves and branches. It is an excellent native tree near the coast with plenty of sun to grow and may be very easy to grow, providing some shade and being valuable to wildlife. This tree is also found in the tropical hardwood hammocks and hammocks of Everglades National Park in the southern tip of Florida. This tree is superb for southern and central Florida, from Brevard County southward, as a shade tree that benefits wildlife! The flowers are small and yellowish and are profuse on the tree many times of the year. This tree is also found in the Caribbean.

MORE FACTS - Does not do well in storms. Many branches often fall down or are split by strong storms or hurricanes in strong winds. Location (placement) of this tree is the key.