Gymnanthes lucida aka Oysterwood

Gymnanthes lucida is an evergreen shrub or tree. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Its native range spans southern Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Useful Tropical Plants lists it as far south as Costa Rica. In the Caribbean, it grows in Cuba and the Bahamas. Its range there also includes the Leeward Islands. Kew places it in the wet tropical biome. It grows in lowland woods, forests, and thickets in limestone areas.

The plant has a narrow crown and keeps its leaves year-round. Useful Tropical Plants gives a height of about 20 feet [6 metres]. Its fuller account gives an upper height of 30 feet [9 metres]. These figures do not show its usual size in gardens. The trunk can reach about 0.66 feet [0.2 metres] across. Broad buttresses, or flared roots, can spread from its base. The source shows flowers and a ripe seed capsule. It gives no details of their form or season.

The account gives no guide to growing this plant. It lists seed as a way to grow new plants. It gives no further details on this method. Its wild home gives context, but does not show garden care needs. The evidence gives no hardiness zone or light needs. It gives no plan for watering or choice of soil. It names no set landscape role, pest, or disease problem. A photo shows a plant at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami.

The wood has several uses, though pieces are often small. The inner wood is pale olive with dark brown streaks. The outer wood ranges from near-white to a yellow tint. The wood has fine grain and takes a smooth polish. It is hard, heavy, and durable. Makers use it for small carvings, canes, and brush backs. They also use it for mirror backs, posts, and stakes. Larger pieces can suit furniture and heavy building work. Sellers have sold thin slices for cabinet work with a decorative finish.

The plant has toxic milky sap that can inflame skin. Reports link smoke from its burning wood with sore eyes. People have used the wood as fuel despite this reported risk. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food or medicinal uses. This lack of known use does not mean it is safe to eat. The evidence does not say if it is toxic to pets.