This tropical plant is showing a succession of large, saucer-shaped flowers beside the pool in the Palm House.
The genus Clusia contains over 300 species from tropical and subtropical America, and can occur from sea level to altitudes of 3500m above sea level. Members of the genus have opposite, simple leaves and flowers borne either singly or in terminal clusters. Clusia palmicida grows to 7m in height, and is found in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuala and the Guyanas, where it grows in the wet tropical biome. It can take the form of either a multi-stemmed shrub, or a single-stemmed tree. The flowers are held in clusters, and the globular buds open to reveal magnolia-like flowers. This species is used for a range of medicinal purposes, including the treatment of back pain and dysentry.