Clusia rosea - Autograph Tree

The Autograph tree gets it's common name (also called the Signature Tree) because of the leaves. Each leaf is fairly large, 5 to 8 inches, oval, thick and sturdy. You can scratch the leaf with a sharp object and it will remove the dark green outer layer and reveal a light green inner layer. People write messages, their name, love notes and other types of graffiti into the leaves. The messages stay as long as the leaf is attached to the tree, often months. The leaves have also been used in the past as playing cards.

Delonix1 ~ I thought this was so interesting I've keyed in the whole paragraph :o)

Terratoonie, you're correct. I have even etched a name in a leaf before. Most trees growing in public places have writing on their leaves.

I've put this Autograph Tree on my favourite photos page.
Thank you. :o)

Delonix1 ~
Do you have a photo of a leaf which has been 'autographed' ?
Maybe write GoY or your name on a leaf and take a picture! :o)

I'll have to buy one of these trees to do this. Most of the trees I know of are in pretty public places where I wouldn't feel comfortable writing my name on one.

I've written my name on a tree in Hawaii...where I'm originally from. They are more widely grown in Hawaii...although they are commonly available in plant nurseries here in San Diego.

Oh, No.
I wouldn't want you to get arrested for graffiti !
Do you miss Hawaii?

Terratoonie, I have lived in California for a long time. Generally, I go to Hawaii every few years...although, it has been 5 years since my last visit. I will have to make a trip soon to visit a lot of my family.

Marguerite,

This tree is in the Clusiaceae or Guttiferae family which include such trees as Mangosteen - Garcinia mangostana, Kamani - Calophyllum inophyllum.

Marguerite,

I'm sure you're lucky enough to grow Mangosteen in your area. We cannot grow them here it just isn't consistently hot enough in winter and it is ultra-tropical. We can grow Garcinia xanthochymus (false mangosteen) which has a lot of the magical anti-oxidant properties that Mangosteen contains. It is an extremely beautiful tree also.