Exostema caribaeum, commonly known as Caribbean princewood, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub native to tropical moist forests, coastal woodlands, and limestone hills in the Caribbean islands and parts of Central America and Mexico. It typically grows up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall and has a slender form. The Caribbean princewood is notable for its glossy, lance-shaped leaves and its clusters of white to pink flowers, which are highly fragrant and bloom intermittently throughout the year, with a peak in late spring to early summer. The flowers are showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Caribbean princewood is valued for its ornamental features, including its aromatic flowers and attractive, peeling bark, which adds textural interest to the garden. It is used in tropical and subtropical landscapes for border planting, as a specimen tree, or in mixed shrubbery. This species thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soils, preferably with some organic content. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods. While it is not commonly available in the nursery trade, it can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Potential problems include susceptibility to root rot in poorly drained soils and occasional pest issues such as scale insects.CC BY-SA 4.0