Description

Satinleaf Tree – Chrysophyllum Oliviforme Overview

Chrysophyllum Oliviforme (Satinleaf tree) is a medium-sized Florida Native tree or shrub, notable for one of the most distinctive leaf effects of any native species. The glossy dark green upper surface contrasts with the bright copper underside — creating a shimmering two-tone effect in the breeze that gives the tree its name. Read more about two-tone foliage trees in Florida.

Satin Leaf Tree – Description

The Satin Leaf tree reaches up to 15 feet in height under typical conditions, and up to 30 feet under ideal growing conditions. It develops a moderately dense oval to pyramidal crown with slightly drooping branches and a showy trunk covered in thin reddish-brown scaly bark. Leaves are simple, glossy, alternate, and elliptic to oval.

Flowers appear year-round in axillary clusters — creamy yellow to white, 3/8 inch, with 5 petals and 5 stamens. The elongated fleshy fruits are edible, ripening to dark purple, resembling small olives with whitish flesh and black seeds. Propagation is by seed or semi-hardwood cutting.

Chrysophyllum Oliviforme – Cultivation & Landscape Use

The Satinleaf tree thrives in fertile, well-drained soils — clay, loam, or sandy — and tolerates drought once established. Its heartwood is reddish, heavy, and dense, contributing to the tree’s strong structural integrity. Pruning is recommended to maintain tree form. As a Florida Native with dense, hard wood and a slow to moderate growth rate, the Satinleaf is recognized as a hurricane-resistant tree — a practical advantage for South Florida landscapes where storm resilience matters. See our guide to hurricane-resilient garden design.

Its outstanding foliage makes it suitable for lawns, patios, screens, shade, and specimen planting, as well as along sidewalks and residential streets. It is also an excellent choice for native plant gardens.

Available at our Homestead nursery in sizes from 25 to 300 gallons, suitable for residential gardens, native landscaping projects, and wholesale orders.

Other common names: Palo de Canela, Damson Plum, Wild Star-Apple, Saffron-Tree, Caimitillo.

🌳 More popular and beautiful plants: Cinnamon Bark tree