Common Name: carrotwood
Family: Sapindaceae
Common Synonyms: Cupania anacardioides
USDA Hardiness Zone: 11-8
Growth Habit: Tree
Origin: Australia and New Guinea
FISC Category: 1
FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: Yes
Introduction Date: 1955
IFAS Assessment:
Evergreen tree to 10 m tall, usually single trunked. Leaves alternate, compound (4-12 oblong, stalked leaflets), leathery and shiny yellowish-green with entire margins and rounded tips. Numerous white to green tiny flowers in branched clusters in leaf axils. Fruit orange woody capsule with 3 distinct segments and 3 shiny oval seeds inside.
Dunes, tropical hammocks, pinelands, mangrove swamp, scrub, coastal strand, cypress swamps
Vouchered north to Volusia Co, established in south. Seeds readily dispersed by birds. Salt tolerant.
Note: Read label restrictions regarding high tide mark and be very careful near mangroves (IFAS). Seeds need to be properly disposed of. **Follow herbicide labels: Only herbicides registered for application in water by EPA and FDACS may be applied to weeds growing in or near water.
Gilman, E.F. and D.G. Watson. 2007. Cupaniopsis anacardiopsis: Carrotwood. EDIS publication EN-380. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Langeland, K.A. 2012. Natural Area Weeds: Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides). EDIS publication SS- AGR-165. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick, K.C. Burks. 2008. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Langeland, K.A., J.A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G.E. MacDonald, and R.K. Stocker. 2011. Integrated management of non-native plants in natural areas of Florida. EDIS publication SP 242. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.