Crabwood, Oysterwood

Gymnanthes lucida Sw.

jim-NAN-thees LOO-sah-dah

Euphorbiaceae

Explanation of name: Gymnanthes means naked flower. Lucida means shining.

Synonym: Ateramnus lucidus (Sw.) Rothm. (WU2)

Natural range: South Florida, Caribbean. Hammocks (in Florida)

Recognition: Shrub or small upright tree with coarse, often-oblanceolate, dark green leaves having widely spaced shallow teeth.

Landscape uses: A slow-growing native species available commercially. Tough, drought tolerant, and tending to be fastigiated. The young growth is attractively reddish. This species is a host plant for the Large Florida Purplewing Butterfly. http://www.floridagardener.com/butterflies/brushfoots.htm

Some data from ME2 and from:

http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/pzb/Zoning/landscape/PrefPlantList2003.pdf