Background -- Historical Recollections -- Phylogeny, Diversity and Ecology -- Morphology, Anatomy, Life Forms and Hydraulic Architecture -- Biogeographic Features of Clusia, with Emphasis on South American and Especially Brazilian Species -- Clusia as Nurse Plant -- Reproductive Biology -- Diversity, Phylogeny and Classification of Clusia -- Population Biology of Different Clusia Species in the State of Rio de Janeiro -- Functions and Physiological Ecology -- Photosynthesis -- Physiological Ecology -- Mycorrhiza of Clusia Species: Types, Abundance, Responses to Environmental Conditions -- Clusia's Clock -- Ciracadian Rhythmicity -- Synthesis -- Synthesis. Clusia is the only dicotyledonous tree genus with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), and in some cases all variants of CAM can be expressed in one given species. These unique features as well as Clusia's extreme flexibility have put it in the limelight of international research. The studies presented in this volume embrace anatomy, morphology and plant architecture, phytogeographical distribution and community ecology, phylogeny and genetic diversity, physiology and metabolism, physiological ecology and functional diversity, circadian rhythmicity and biological timing. Covering all aspects of tree biology, this richly illustrated volume is an invaluable source of information for any plant scientist.