Spiny black olive has a spiny trunk, but it doesn’t produce olives. It is a good candidate
for bonsai. Among its curious common names is “dwarf geometry tree,” because of its much
larger relative, Bucida buceras. It is native to the Caribbean, and may be native as well
to southern Florida. The currently accepted scientific name is Terminalia molinetii M. Gómez.
Identification: Spiny black olive is small tree, rarely exceeding
4′ (1.2 m) in height, with branches that extend horizontally so they are often wider than the tree
is high. Leaves are about ¼″ (6.3 mm) long, bronze-colored at first, aging to light green. Flowers are yellow and inconspicuous, becoming clusters of tiny brown fruits.