Native range: Eastern Australia. Description: A round-crowned tree to 30 feet or more in height with 10- to 12-inch long compound leaves consisting of six to ten 5-inch long, oblong leaflets. The leaflets are leathery with a prominent lighter colored midrib. Terminal spikes of inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers are produced in midwinter. Fruit ripen in summer, each about 1-inch in diameter, yellow to orange in color and divided into six sections, somewhat resembling a small pumpkin. These open to reveal bright red seeds.
Ecological threat: Carrotwood invades both disturbed and undisturbed sites where it can quickly form dense thickets. While relatively new in the horticulture trade in Florida, it is spreading rapidly and is cause for concern to resource managers. It tends to be more coastal in distribution but has been found invading inland sites as well. It has also been found colonizing spoil islands in the Indian River in Brevard county. Its attractive seeds are bird-dispersed, especially by fish crows.
Distribution in Florida: Central and southern Florida but more commonly seen naturalized in central Florida.
Background: Carrotwood has been in the Florida landscape trade only since 1968 and was introduced as a salt-tolerant, fast-growing tree for use in the urban landscape and as a street and parking lot tree. It is much more popular in central Florida than it is in southern Florida.
