Characteristics: 

It is small-medium sized height, growing around 30 meters (98 feet) tall but just a meter (3 feet) or less in width. Its bark is dark red and peeling, giving it the nickname of "tourist tree" because its bark resembles a sunburnt tourist (common in the tree's range of habitat). Its leaves are pinnate and spiral, with 7-11 broad ovate leaflets 4-10 centimeters (2-4 inches) long and 2-5 centimeters (1-2 inches) wide. The tree has ripe fruit year-round, but most noticeably in March-April. It has a three-valve capsule encasing a seed surrounded by fatty, lipid-rich aril (a seed coating) 5-6 millimeters in diameter. Birds crack open the seed pods for the aril. 

Uses: They can live in many different types of soil including salty and calcerous, are very wind-resistant, and grow very fast, making them good candidates for coastal and hurricane-prone areas. In Florida, they are often planted to guard crops and roads from strong winds. Its wood is used as firewood, in light construction, and to build carousal horses in the U.S. Its resin, called chibou, is also used as glue, varnish, and incense, as well as treating gout. It is a very important foodsource for local birds (such as the  masked tityra, bright-rumped Attila, black-faced grosbeak) and many migrant visitors (such as the Baltimore oriole or the dusty-capped flycatcher). The fruit is seeked out eagerly by many birds, suggesting lipid-plentiful aril, migrant birds willing to utilize planted Gumbo-limbo's in human-populated areas benefit the birdwatching business.

Threats: Due to its wide range of habitat and tolerance of natural disasters and different kinds of soils, the Gumbo-limbo's population is not declining, and it is under no pressing threats.