Tropical Plants in the Americas Part 2 by Armas Hill

PO Box 9021, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
Phone: Toll-free in USA 1-888-721-3555
or 302/529-1876

Tropical Plants
of the
Americas

in Mexico, Central America
South America
and the Caribbean

with those during
Focus On Nature Tours
thru 2015
noted with an (*)

during tours in the months of
January, February, March, April,
May, July, November, and December

The 2nd part of a three-part list of Tropical Plants of the Americas compiled by Armas Hill

Photo at upper right: HELICONIA, photographed during the FONT tour
in southern Ecuador in April 2014   (photo by Marie Gardner)

FONT tours in the Neotropics have been in southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and on islands
in the Caribbean.

In the list that follows, below the scientific names are names in English and Spanish (S:) and Portuguese (P:).
The families in the list are given (mostly) in alphabetical order, and genera within them are given alphabetically as well.
Families that are "break-offs" from other families are at times here still with them, and may be out of alphabetical order.

Plant Families listed alphabetically by the scientific name of the family
(prior to DENNSTAEDTIACEAE and after NYMPHAEACEAE)
are in the first and third parts of this list:

TROPICAL PLANTS OF THE AMERICAS, Part #1
(from ACANTHACEAE, Acanthus to CYATHEACEAE, Tree Ferns)

TROPICAL PLANTS OF THE AMERICAS, Part #3
(from OCHNACEAE, Wild Plane to ZYGOPHYLLACEAE, Caltrop)

Links to Plant Families in this Part of the List:

DENNSTAEDTIACEAE - Ferns DILLENIACEAE - Rose Apples DIOSCOREACEAE - Yam

DRACAENACEAE EBENACEAE - Ebony and Persimmon

ERICACEAE - Heath family ERYTHROXYLACEAE - Coca family

EUPHORBIACEAE - Spurges including Poinsettia, Rubber Tree, Cassava (or Tapioca)

FABACEAE - Legume, or Pea or Bean Family (includes CAESALPINIOIDEAE, the Carob Plants, and MIMOSOIDEAE, the Mimosa Plants)
including Acacias, Groundnut (or Peanut), Pigeon Pea, Flamboyant Tree, Monkey Ladder Vine (or Caracol), Elephant-ear (or Guanacaste) Tree, Coral Tree, Inga Trees, Ib (or Common Lima Bean), Black Bean (or Frijoles Negro), Raintree, Tamarind, Retama

FAGACEAE - Oaks (in the Beech family) GENTIANACEAE - Gentians GESNERIACEAE - Gesnerias

GOODENIACEAE - Fan-flowers    GROSSULARIACEAE includes Escallonias

GUNNERACEAE   includes Poor man's Umbrella       HUMIRIACEAE     ICACINACEAE

JUGLANDACEAE - Walnuts   includes Pecan

LAMIACEAE, or LABIATAE - Mints includes Pineapple Sage, Teak

LAURACEAE - Laurel includes Cassia Cinnamon, Avocado

LECYTHIDACEAE - Brazil Nut plants and allies includes Brazil Nut Tree, Cannonball Tree, Monkey Pot Tree

LILIACEAE - Lilies (including what was in AMARYLLIDACEAE, the Amaryllis Family)

LORANTHACEAE - Mistletoes LYTHRACEAE - Loosestrifes includes Pomegranate

MAGNOLIACEAE - Magnolias MALPIGHIACEAE

MALVACEAE - Mallows (includes BOMBACACEAE, the Cotton Tree Plants)
including Cuipo Tree, Kapok (or Ceiba) Tree, Hand-flower Tree, Okra, other Rose Mallows (or Hibiscus)

MARANTACEAE - Arrowroot, or Prayer-plant Family MELASTOMATACEAE - Melastomes

MELIACEAE - Mahogany MENISPERMACEAE

MORACEAE - Mulberry plants includes Breadfruit, Bread Nut (or Mayan Nut), Milk Tree, Strangler Fig

MUSACEAE - Banana plants, Heliconias includes Banana, Plantain

MYRICACEAE - Wax-myrtle MYRISTICACEAE - Nutmeg MYRSINACEAE - Myrsine

MYRTACEAE - Myrtles includes Allspice, Guava

NYCTAGINACEAE - Four O' Clocks includes Bougainvillea NYMPHAEACEAE - Water Lilies

AN ALPHABETICAL DIRECTORY OF PLANT GENERA IN THIS WEBSITE NOTING FAMILIES

A Photo Gallery of Plants during a FONT Tour in the Dominican Republic
with some of the photographed plants not identified. If you can ID any, we'd greatly appreciate.

A Photo Gallery of Plants during some FONT Tours in Ecuador
with some of the photographed plants not identified. If you can ID any, we'd greatly appreciate.

Codes:

BR: in Brazil    BZ: in Belize    CR: in Costa Rica    CY: in the Cayman Islands    DR: in the Dominican Republic
EC: in Ecuador    GU: in Guatemala    JM: in Jamaica    MX: in Mexico    MX(YU): in the Yucatan area of Mexico
PE: in Peru    PN: Panama    PR: Puerto Rico

(ph): species with a photo in the FONT web-site

In this list, Spanish names follow the letter S: Portuguese names follow the letter P:

Another code throughout the list here, (TPCR:xxx), refers to pages with a photograph of the particular species
in the book "Tropical Plants of Costa Rica, a Guide to Native and Exotic Flora" by Willow Zuchowski, with photographs by Turid Forsyth, 2007.

Other Links:

Information about Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours:
in the Caribbean in Central America in South America (Brazil and Ecuador)

or by month in: 2015 2016 or: by geographic locations worldwide

Lists and Photo Galleries in this Website of Other Nature:

Birds in: the Caribbean Central America South America (Brazil) South America (Ecuador)

A List and Photo Gallery of Hummingbirds in 2 parts

Mammals: the Caribbean Central America South America

Butterflies and Moths in: the Caribbean Central America South America

Other Lists and Photo Galleries in this website relating to Plants:

Tropical Plants on West Indian Islands in the Caribbean

Orchids of the Americas Fruiting Plants and Others in Brazil

Wildflowers & Other Plants in Texas

Desert Plants of the Southwest US & northern Mexico

Wildflowers & Other Plants in Eastern North America, a list in 2 parts

Northern Plants in Alaska, Iceland, & the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan
(with some notes about medicinal and edible plants)

Links to Other Lists & Photo Galleries of Plants Directory of Photos in this Website

Books that have been sources for this list include:
"Aves Brasileiras e Plantas que as Atraem" by Johan Dalgas Frisch and Christian Dalgas Frisch, 2005
"Botanica's Pocket Orchids" by various authors, 2007 (with over 1200 species listed)
"Brazil, Amazon and Pantanal - the Ecotraveler's Wildlife Guide" by David Pearson and Les Beletsky, 2002
"Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics" by Harri Lorenzi, Luis Bacher, Marco Lacerda, Sergio Sartori, 2006
"Butterflies, Moths, and Other Invertebrates of Costa Rica, a Field Guide" by Carrol Henderson, 2010
"The Butterflies of Hispaniola" by Albert Schwartz, 1989.
"Fruits and Vegetables of the Caribbean" by M Bourne, G. Lennox and S. Seddon, 2006
"Hispaniola" by Eladio Fernandez, 2007
"Hummingbirds, a Life-size Guide to Every Species" by Michael Fogden, Marianne Taylor, and Sheri Williamson, 2014
"A Naturalist in Costa Rica" by Alexander Skutch, 1971
"Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands - the Red List" by Frederic Burton, 2008.
"Tropical Plants of the World" by Jens Rohwer, 2002
"Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling, 2014

About 50 color illustrations in this 3-part list are from the book "Flowers of Guatemala" by Carol Rogers Chickering.
Most of the illustrations were done about 50 years ago in 1964-1965. The book was published in 1973.

Another book that has been a valuable source for information here is "Tropical Plants of Costa Rica, A Guide to Native and Exotic Flora" by Willow Zuchowski, with photographs by Turid Forsyth, 2007.
As noted above, the code (TPCR:xxx) in this list refers to pages with a photograph of a particular plant.

     A List of Tropical Plants of the Americas, Part 2:


       Family DENNSTAEDTIACEAE (Ferns)

        Genus PTERIDIUM

Pteridium aquilinum ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, in the Cordillera Central)
Bracken Fern
S: Helecho Calimete

Family DILLENIACEAE (Rose Apples)

Genus CURATELLA
Curatella americanum ______ CR (TPCR:266) Occurs from Mexico to South America, also Cuba
Sandpaper Tree
S: Raspaguacal, or Chumico de Palo

Curatella americanum survives fires, which actually stimulates its seeds to germinate.
Silica in the leaves makes them good for sanding wood or scrubbing pots and pans.
Tannins in the bark can be used for curing hides.

Genus DILLENIA
Malayan dillenia ______ (native to Malaysia and Indonesia, now grows wild on Caribbean islands)
Malayan Dillenia (bush with simple, alternating leaves)

Family DIOSCOREACEAE (Yam)

Genus DIOSCOREA
Dioscorea alata ______ MX(YU) (native to India, brought to Mexico via Africa)
Yam (or Winged, or Water Yam, or Air Potato)
Dioscorea bulbifera ______ MX(YU) (native to India, brought to Mexico via Africa)
Yam (or Winged, or Water Yam, or Air Potato)

Family DRACAENACEAE

Genus DRACAENA
Dracaena americana ______ CR grows naturally in Costa Rica on the southern Pacific slope at about 300 feet above sea level

Dracaena americana is 1 of 2 species in the Dracaena genus that are native in the New World.
Dracaena fragans ______ CR (TPCR:224) originally from Africa
Corn Plant

Family EBENACEAE (Ebony and Persimmon)

Genus DIOSPYROS
Diospyros digyna ______ MX(YU)
Black Persimmon (or Black Sapote, or Chocolate Pudding Fruit)
S: Zapote Negro, or Zapote Prieto
Diospyros nicaraguensis ______ CR

Family ERICACEAE (Heath Family)

Genus CAVENDISHIA
Cavendishia bracteata ______ CR (TPCR:321) occurs from Mexico to Bolivia
S: Colmillos

Genus PERNETTYA
Pernettya prostrata ______ CR (TPCR:309) occurs from Mexico south into the Andes Mountains in South America
Pernettya
S: Arrayan

Pernettya prostrata is closely related to Wintergeen, Gaulitheria procumbens, in temperate North America.

Family ERYHROXYLACEAE (Coca Family)

Genus ERYTHROXYLUM
Erythroxylum amplum ______ CR
Erythroxylum areolatum ______ CY
Smoke Wood (name in CY)
Erythroxylum confusum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)
Smoke Wood (name in CY)
Erythroxylum fimbriatum ______ CR
Erythroxylum havanense ______ CR
Erythroxylum lucidum ______ CR
Erythroxylum rotundifolium ______ CR CY (endangered in CY)
Rat Wood (name in CY)

Family EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurges)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 200 described species of EUPHORBIACEAE.

Genus ACALYPHA
Acalypha chamaedrifolia ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Acalypha diversifolia ______ CR
Acalypha hispida (ph) ______ BZ MX (now naturalized in Mexico and Belize, originally from Oceania)
Chenille

Other names for Acalypha hispida are Red Hot Cat's Tail, or Fox Tail.

Acalypha hispida, or Chenille (photo by Marie Gardner)
Acalypha macrostachya ______ CR
Acalypha schiedeana ______ CR

Genus ADELIA
Adelia ricinella ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)
Adelia triloba ______ CR

In northwest Costa Rica, Adelia triloba is a very rare dry-forest plant that has been found to be a host plant for the caterpillar of a butterfly that seems to be "everywhere" in that habitat, Myscelia pattenia, the Mexican Bluewing.

Genus ALCHORNEA
Alchornea costaricensis ______ CR
Alchornea glandulosa ______ BR
P: Tapia or Iricuruna

Birds that feed on the fruits of Alchornea glandulosa and other plants in that genus include: thrushes, tanagers, aracaris, vireos, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, other flycatchers, and Blue Dacnis.
Alchornea iricurana ______ BR
Alchornea latifolia ______ CR
Alchornea sidaefolia ______ BR
Alchornea triplinervia ______ BR

Genus ARGYTHAMNIA
Argythamnia proctorii ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands)
Cayman Silverbush

Genus ASTROCASIA
Astrocasia tremula ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)

Genus BERNARDIA
Bernardia dichotoma ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus CHAMAESYCE
Chamaesyce blodgettii ______ CY
Chamaesyce bruntii ______ CY (endemic to Little Cayman Island) (critically endangered)
Chamaesyce mesembrianthemifolia ______ CY
Tittie Molly (name in CY)
Chamaesyce ophtalmica ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Chamaesyce torralbasii ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands)

Genus CHASCOTHECA
Chascotheca domingensis ______ CY
Chascotheca neopeltandra ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus CNIDOSCOLUS
Cnidoscolus chayamansa ______ MX(YU)
Tree Spinach
S: Chaya, or Arbol Espinaca, or Espinaca Maya

Genus CODIAEUM
Codiaeum variegatum ______ CR (TPCR:133) originally from southern Asia
Croton
S: Croton

Genus CROTON

Plants in CROTON are visited by the butterfly Doxocopa laure, the Silver Emperor.
Croton barahonensis (*) ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Croton barahonensis is a food plant for the butterflies: Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon acis, the Bartram's Scrub Hairstreak.
Croton floribundus ______ BR
Croton gossypiifolius ______ CR
Croton killipianus ______ CR
Croton linearis (*) ______ CY DR (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Rosemary (name in CY)

Croton linearis has white flowers. In the Dominican Republic, it is a food plant for the butterflies: Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon linearis, the Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak, Junonia genoveva, the Mangrove Buckeye, Danaus gilippus, the Queen.
Croton lucidus ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Croton nitens ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Wild Cinnamon (name in CY)
Croton reflexifolius ______ CR
Croton rosmarinoides ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Croton salutaris ______ BR
Croton schiedeanus ______ CR
Croton urucurana ______ BR
P: Sangue de Drago or Urucurana

Among the birds that feed on the fruits of Croton urucurana are pigeons and tinamous.

Genus DALECHAMPIA

Species in DALECHAMPIA are food plants for butterflies in two genera: HAMADRYAS and DYNAMINE.
Dalechampia cissifolia ______ CR

Dalechampia cissifolia is a host plant for the caterpillars of the butterflies Hamadryas guatemalena, the Guatemalan Cracker, and Hamadryas arinome, or ariensis, the Turquoise Cracker.
Dalechampia dioscoreifolia ______ CR
Dalechampia friedrichsthalii ______ CR
Dalechampia heteromorpha ______ CR

Dalechampia heteromorpha is a host plant for the caterpillars of the butterfles Hamadryas arinome or ariensis, the Turquoise Cracker, and Hamadryas guatemalena, the Guatemalan Cracker.
Dalechampia scandens ______ CR
S: Ortiguilla, or Bejuco de Pan

In Costa Rica, Dalechampia scandens is a food plant for the butterflies Catonephele nyctimus and Mestra anymone.

Dalechampia scandens is also a host plant for the butterflies known as crackers, including: Hamadryas guatemalena and Hamadryas februa, which are respectively the Guatemalan Cracker and the Gray Cracker. The females of these butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of the plant.

Above: the Gray Cracker
Below; the Guatemalan Cracker
Both were photographed during FONT tours,
the lower butterfly in Guatemala.
(photos by Marie Gardner)
Dalechampia spathulata ______ CR
Dalechampia tiliifolia ______ CR
Dalechampia websteri ______ CR

Dalechampia websteri is a host plant for the caterpillar of the butterfly Hamadryas arinome, or ariensis, the Turquoise Cracker.

Genus DRYPETES
Drypetes standleyi ______ CR

Genus EUPHORBIA
Euphorbia cassythoides ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Euphorbia fulgens ______ native to Mexico
Scarlet Plume
Euphorbia pulcherrima (ph) ______ BR CR DR (TPCR:134) originally grew in Mexico and Guatemala
Poinsettia (a bush with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Bandera, or Pastora

Poinsettia is now cultivated in Costa Rica. However, a "wild population" was found in the country in 1995 in the central Pacific region at about 2,700 feet above sea level.

In the Dominican Republic, Euphorbia pulcherrima is a food plant for the butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.

Feeding on a Poinsettia, a Malachite butterfly,
during a FONT tour in southeastern Brazil.
Euphorbia schlechtendalii ______ CR
Euphorbia trichotoma ______ CY

Genus GARCIA
Garcia nutans ______ CR

Genus GYMNANTHES
Gymnanthes lucida ______ CR CY (critically endangered in CY)
Crab Bush (name in CY)

Genus HEVEA
Hevea brasiliensis ______ (native to the Amazon region of Brazil)
Para Rubber Tree (with leaves palmately divided)
P: Seringa
S: Caucho

During FONT tours in Amazonian Brazil, in the area of Manaus, we've seen "rubber trees"
in the forest, where they were native.
During the "rubber boom", from about 1880 to 1910, that city in Manaus flourished.
During our tours, we've visited the famous opera house in that city, from that era.

Genus HIERONYMA
Hieronyma guatemalensis ______ CR
Hieronyma oblonga (var. benthamii ______ CR
Hieronyma poasana ______ CR

Genus HIPPOMANE
Hippomane mancinella ______ CR CY (TPCR:337) (endangered in CY)
Manchineel
S: Manzanillo

Genus HURA
Hura crepitans ______ CR (native to the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Sandbox Tree
S: Jabillo

Genus JATROPHA
Jatropha aconitifolia ______ CR
Jatropha curcas ______ CR
Jatropha divaricata ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Wild Oil Nut (name in CY)
Jatropha podagrica ______ (native to Central America)
Guatemala Rhubarb (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Ruibarbo, or "Capa de Rey"

Gemus MABEA
Mabea occidentalis ______ CR

Genus MANIHOT
Manihot carthagenesis ______ CR
Manihot esculenta ______ CR MX(YU) (TPCR:176) originally in the American tropics, probably Brazil
Cassava (or Tapioca, or Manioc)
P: Mandioca
S: Yuca, or Mandioca, or Guacamote

Cassava was the staple diet of the early Indians on Caribbean islands, and today it is still an important item in the diet of many West Indians.
It can be ground into meal which is used to make a kind of bread.
The juice obtained from grated cassava root is flavored with cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar to make cassareep, an essential component of a stew known as pepperpot.

Genus MARGARITARIA
Margaritaria nobilis ______ CR CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus OMPHALEA
Omphalea diandra ______ CR

Omphalea diandra is the host plant for the striking moth, Urania fulgens, the Green Page Moth, or also called the Urania Swallowtail Moth.
The plant is abundant in southern Costa Rica in the area of the Osa Peninsula. It is in that area where we have seen this beautiful diurnal moth during FONT tours.

The caterpillars of Urania flugens eat the leaves of Omphalea diandra. Those leaves provide a low amount of toxic chemicals that the caterpillars incorporate into their systems to prevent predation.
But as the extent of the foraging increases, the plants produce higher concentrations of the toxic chemicals that can then kill the caterpillars.
The adult moths must then move to another region where the vines of Omphalea diandra have not recently been exploited by the caterpillar. Thus, they migrate, in hundreds or even thousands, away from that region in Costa Rica, with some going north as far as Guatemala and others south as far as Colombia.

A Green Urania Moth photographed during a FONT tour
in southern Costa Rica in the area of the Osa Peninsula
(photo by Rosemary Lloyd)

Genus PHYLLANTHUS
Phyllanthus acidus ______ MX(YU)
Otaheite Gooseberry (or Malay Gooseberry)
S: Grosella, or Ciruela sostena, or Cuatelolote, or Manzana estrella
Phyllanthus angustifolius ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Duppy Bush (name in CY)
Phyllanthus caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (vulnerable)
Phyllanthus nutans ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Phyllanthus valerii ______ CR
Phyllanthus sp. ______ DR

Genus PICRODENDRON
Picrodendron baccatum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Bitter Plum (name in CY)

Genus RICHERIA
Richeria racemosa ______ CR

Genus SAPIUM
Sapium jamaicaense ______ CR
Sapium macrocarpum ______ CR
Sapium oligoneuron ______ CR
Sapium pachystachys ______ CR
Sapium thelocarpum ______ CR

Genus SAVIA
Savia erythroxyloides ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (vulnerable in CY)
Wild Cocoplum (name in CY)

Genus SECURINEGA
Securinega acidoton ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus STILLINGIA
Stillingia acutifolia ______ GU

The seeds of the euphorbiaceous shrub Stillingia acutifolia is a favorite food in Guatemala of the bird, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, when it occurs there during its non-breeding season.
The foliage of that bush is poisonous to cattle, deadly if eaten in quantity, but the grosbeaks seem never to suffer any ill effects from its seeds.
To extract the 3 small seeds, the birds crush the thick, three-lobed pods in their heavy bills, making a noise audible at a distance.
(from the book "A Bird Watcher's Adventures in Tropical America" by Alexander Skutch)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(photo by Howard Eskin)
Stillingia zelayensis ______ CR

Genus TETROECHIDIUM
Tetroechidium euryphyllum ______ CR

Genus VECONCIBEA
Veconcibea pleiostemona ______ CR

Genus TRAGIA
Tragia volubilis ______ CY
Itching Vine (name in CY)

Family FABACEAE (Legumes. or Peas)

Included here in FABACEAE is the now subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE, the CAROB PLANTS
and the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE, the MIMOSA PLANTS

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 210 described species in FABACEAE.

Genus ACACIA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)

Recent DNA studies have indicated that ACACIA is an Old World genus. New World species are to be placed in the genus VACHELLIA.

In the Dominican Republic, xeric ACACIA forest and scrub, with nearby flowers, is preferred habitat for the butterfly Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail.



A Scarce Haitian Swallowtail photographed
during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Acacia collinsii ______ CR (TPCR:270) occurs from Mexico to Colombia
Ant Acacia
S: Cornizuelo

On the ground surrounding Acacia collinsii, there are distinct bare areas, kept clean by ants, to protect the plant from climbing vines and competitors.
When a potential herbivore (leaf-eater) brushes up against the Ant Acacia, it is greeted by a frenzy of stinging ants coming from thorns at leaf bases.
So animals stay away. Some birds are able to nest in the tree, not disturbed by the ants. And neither is a creature known as the Ant-acacia Beetle, Pelidnota punctulata.
Acacia cornigera ______ CR
Acacia cucuyo ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in the Sierra Martin Garcia)
Acacia farnesiana ______ CR DR

In the Dominican Republic, Acacia farnesiana is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon columnella, the Hewitson's Hairstreak.
Acacia skleroxyla ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola where widespread)
S: Candelon
Acacia vogeliana ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Acacia vogeliana is a food plant for the butterfly Danaus eresimus, the Soldier.

Genus ACOSMIUM
Acosmium panamense ______ CR

Genus ALBIZIA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Albizia adinocephala ______ CR
Albizia caribaea ______ CR
Albizia guachapele ______ CR
Albizia saman ______ CR (TPCR:271,272) (native from Central America and south to the Amazon)
Rain Tree (a tree with leaves pinnately divided)
P: Saman
S: Saman, or Cenizaro (in Costa Rica)

Genus ANDIRA
Andira inermis ______ CR

Genus ARACHIS
Arachis hypogaea ______ MX(YU) (native to southeast South America, in Brazil)
Groundnut (or Peanut)
P: Amendoim
S: Cacahuete, or Mani

The Groundnut (or Peanut) is a small, annual trailing plant. It has a unique feature of producing small, pea-like flowers above ground, and then, after pollination has taken place, "burying" the seed pods in the ground to ripen. Hence, the common name "Groundnut".

The Groundnut (or Peanut) is now cultivated throughout the tropics.
The seeds are harvested for their oil and protein. The oil is used for food and cooking, and it is also converted into margarine and soap.
The nuts are often used in soups and curries in the Caribbean, and as roasted peanuts and peanut butter they are a notable part of the diet of people in North America and Europe.

The plant has other uses as well. After the oil has been extracted, the residue, called groundnut cake, forms a valuable cattle and poultry feed. The leaves and other parts of the plant remaining after the nuts have been dug up are used a fertilizer.
Arachis pintoi ______ BR CR (TPCR:139) native to central Brazil
Perennial Peanut
S: Mani Forajero

Genus ATELEiA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Ateleia herbert-smithii ______ CR

Genus BAUHINIA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Bauhinia blakeana ______ BR

Bauhinia blakeana and Bauhinia variegata (below) can be especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Bauhinia divaricata ______ CY DR
Bull Hoof (name in CY)

In the Dominican Republic, Bauhinia divaricata is a food plant for the butterfly Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail.
Bauhinia guianensis ______ CR (TPCR:239) occurs from southern Mexico to South America
Monkey Ladder
S: Escalera de Mono
Bauhinia monandra ______ JM
Orchid Tree

On the Caribbean island of Jamaica, the Orchid Tree, Bauhinia monandra, is a favored for feeding by the hummingbird, the Jamaican Mango, Anthracothorax mango, a bird endemic to that island.
Bauhinia ungulata ______ CR
Bauhinia variegata ______ BR CR (TPCR:135) originally from Asia
Bauhinia variegata candida ______ BR

Genus BROWNEA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE, now in subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE)

BROWNEA species are favored as a food source by the hummingbird, the Pale-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis anthophilus.
Brownea grandiceps ______ (native, as indicated by the common English name, in Venezuela)
Rose of Venezuela (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Rosa de Montana

Genus CAESALPINIA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE, now in subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE))

Plants in CAESALPINIA are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds, in Brazil and elsewhere.
Caesalpinia barahonensis ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in the areas of Barahona and the Sierra Martin Garcia)
Caesalpinia bonduc ______ CR CY (TPCR:338) (originally believed to be from southeast Asia)
Gray Nickernut
Cockspur (name in CY)
Caesalpinia coriaria (ph) ______ CR (in parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, northern South America)
Divi-divi Tree

The Divi-divi Tree is the national tree of the island of Curacao, one of the former Netherlands Antilles. An airline based in those islands has been called "Divi-divi Air".

In Aruba, the Divi-divi Trees always point to the southwest due to the trade winds that blow across the island.

A bee in a Divi-divi Tree
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Caesalpinia echinata ______ BR
Pernambuco
P: Pau-Brasil

The Pernambuco tree grows in Brazil in the Mata Atlantica, the Atlantic Forest. It has been especially famous as the wood used in the bow for the world's best violins.
Caesalpinia eriostachys ______ CR (TPCR:26,27) occurs from Mexico to Panama
S: Saino

In Costa Rica, the Saino is most abundant in dry Pacific lowlands.
Caesalpinia exostemma ______ CR
Caesalpinia intermedia ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Caesalpinia pulcherrima (ph) ______ CR GU (TPCR:137) may have originally grown in the West Indies, not known for sure
Barbados Flower (a bush with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Clavellina

Various other names for Caesalpinia pulcherrima include Peacock Flower, Poinciana, Dwarf Poinciana, Red Bird of Paradise, Mexican Bird of Paradise, and Flamboyant-de-Jardin (S).

In Guatemala, although Caesalpinia pulcherrima is abundant along the banks of the Motagua River, where it is seemingly indigenous, botanists are not certain that is so, even though the species is native to many regions elsewhere in the American tropics.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"
Caesalpinia wrightiana ______ CY

Genus CAJANUS
Cajanus cajan ______ (now grows on Caribbean islands, maybe from Africa or India)
Pigeon Pea

The plant Cajanus cajan is a perennial shrub which grows to a height of about 9 feet. It is capable of withstanding extremes of drought, and its ability to "fix" nitrogen in the soil makes it a useful plant to use in crop-rotation.

Pigeon Pea is widely cultivated in the tropics, and it is a particularly important crop in the Caribbean region.
The mature pods range in color from light green to dark brown.
A well-established plant can produce good, seed-bearing pods for a number of years.
The seeds vary in color from gray to yellow and resemble small garden peas in shape and size. They are often used in soups and curries after first being dried and split.
Rice with Pigeon Peas is a favorite dish on a number of Caribbean islands, particularly Trinidad and Jamaica.
In Jamaica, the peas are sometimes cooked in the form of a dumpling.
Also in Jamaica, there is a dish called "rice and peas", but the "peas" are not always Pigeon Peas, but instead red kidney beans.

Genus CALLIANDRA (now in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE: MIMOSAS)

CALLIANDRA species are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Calliandra costaricensis ______ CR
Calliandra cubensis ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Calliandra haematocephala ______ BR CR (TPCR:138) (in subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE) (native to Bolivia)
Red Powder Puff (a bush with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Bellota, or Pompon
Calliandra houstoniana (ph) ______ GU

Calliandra houstoniana,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"
Calliandra inaequilatera ______ BR
Calliandra picardae (*) ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, on the lower Sierra de Bahoruco)
S: Clavelina
Calliandra quetzal ______ GU

Calliandra quetzal is named for the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.
Calliandra surinamensis ______ BR CR (TPCR:138) native to northern South America
Pink Powder Puff (bush with leaves pinnately divided)
Calliandra tweedyi ______ BR

Genus CANAVALIA
Canavalia maritima ______ CR

In Costa Rica and elsewhere, Canavalia maritima grows tightly entangled with Ipomoea pes-caprae to form the "pes-caprae association" on sandy beaches.
Ipomoea pes-caprae is in the Morning Glory Family, CONVOLVULACEAE.
Canavalia nitida ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)
Horse Bean (name in CY)
Canavalia rosea ______ CY
Sea Bean (name in CY)

Genus CASSIA
Cassia fistula ______ CR (TPCR:30) (originally in India)
Golden Shower Tree, Pudding Pipe Tree, or Purging Cassia
Cassia grandis ______ CR (TPCR:31) occurs from Mexico to northern South America, and in the Antilles
Pink Shower Tree, or Coral Shower Tree
S: Carao

Genus CENTROSEMA
Centrosema virginianum ______ CY

Genus CHAMAECRISTA
Chamaecrista lineata ______ CY
Storm Weed (name in CY)
Chamaecrista nictitans ______ CY
Wild Shame Face (name in CY)

Genus CLITORIA
Clitoria ternatea ______ (thought to have originally grown in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Butterfly Pea (climbing plant with leaves pinnately divided or tripartite)
S: Azulejo, or Conchitas

Genus COJOBA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Cojoba costaricensis ______ CR (TPCR:292) occurs in Costa Rica and Panama
Angel's Hair
S: Lorito, or Cabello de Angel

Genus COPAIFEA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Copaifea aromatica ______ CR

Genus CYNOMETRA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Cynometra hemitomophylla ______ CR

Genus DALBERGIA
Dalbergia brownei ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Dalbergia ecastaphyllum ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Dalbergia retusa ______ CR
Rosewood
S: Cocobolo
Dalbergia tucurrensis ______ CR

Genus DELONIX
Delonix regia (was Poinciana regia) ______ CR DR (TPCR:32) (originally grew in Madagascar, now planted widely in the tropics)
Flamboyant (or Royal Poinciana) (a tree with leaves pinnately divided)
P: Flamboaia
S: Flamboyan, Malinche, Arbol de Fuego, or Tabuchin

The tree Delonix regia can be especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

In the Dominican Republic, the ornamental Delonix regia is a food plant for native butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.

Genus DIALIUM (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Dialium guianense ______ CR

Genus DIPHYSA
Diphysa americana ______ CR (TPCR:28)
Diphysa robinioides ______ CR

Genus DIPTERYX
Dipteryx odorata ______ BR
Tonka Bean Tree
Dipteryx panamensis ______ CR PN (TPCR:240,241) occurs from Nicaragua to Colombia
Tonka Bean Tree
S: Almendro

Great Green Macaws feed on the fruits and seeds of Dipteryx panamensis. The macaws move to different areas from November to March as they search for these trees with their favored food.

Great Green Macaw, in a mural

Ripe Dipteryx panamensis fruit is also fed upon by a large number of mammals. A study on Barro Colorado Island in Panama noted 16 mammal species feeding on the fruit of the tree.
Visitors feeding at, and beneath, the tree included a mix of animals such as peccaries and seed-dispersers such as bats.

Profuse lilac flowers of Dipteryx panamensis when in bloom attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Genus DUSSIA
Dussia cuscatlantica ______ CR
Dussia macroprophyllata ______ CR

Genus ENTADA
Entada gigas ______ DR
Monkey Ladder Vine (or Seaheart)
S: Caracol, or Chocho, or Samo

Genus ENTEROLOBIUM
Enterolobium cyclocarpum (*) ______ BR CR (TPCR:50,51) (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Elephant-ear Tree (or Earpod Tree, or Ear Fruit Tree)

Other names for Enterolobium cyclocarpum include Guanacaste Tree, Caro-caro.
"Guanacaste" is the dry region of northwestern Costa Rica. The Guanacaste Tree, as it is known there, is the national tree of Costa Rica.
Enterolobium schomburgkii (*) ______ CR (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)

In Costa Rica, Enterolobium schomburgkii is found on the northern Caribbean and southern Pacific sides of the country.

Genus ERYTHRINA

Species in ERYTHRINA can be especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds, including the Amazilia Hummingbird in South America.

Branches of most, if not all, species of ERYTHRINA in the tropics will take root when planted in the ground.
Erythrina crista-galli ______ BR (originally grew in South America, now cultivated elsewhere)
Cockspur Coral Bean (this bush, and others in Erythrina, with leaves pinnately divided)
Erythrina cochleata ______ CR
Erythrina costaricensis ______ CR occurs from Costa Rica to Colombia

In Costa Rica, Erythrina costaricensis grows at lower elevations than Erythrina lanceolata, mostly in the southern half of the country.
Erythrina falcata ______ BR
Erythrina fusca ______ CR
Erythrina lanceolata ______ CR (TPCR:212,225,266) occurs from Honduras to Panama
Machete Flower
S: Poro

In Costa Rica, Erythrina lanceolata, or Machete Flower Trees, are planted to create "living fences".
Erythrina mulunga ______ BR
Erythrina poeppigiana ______ CR (TPCR:33,34,196)
Mountain Immortelle
S: Poro

In Central America, Mountain Immortelle trees are often planted in coffee plantations. They provide shade for the coffee plants and enrich the soil with nitrogen.
Erythrina speciosa ______ BR
P: Mulungu do Littoral
Erythrina velutina (ph) ______ BR CY (native to northern South America and parts of the Caribbean)
Coral Tree
Cockspur Tree (name in CY) (critically endangered in CY)

Erythrina velutina was first described from the Brazilian offshore island Fernando de Noronha, where the native species there is now Erythrina velutina var. aurantiaca.

Erythrina velutina
(photo by G. Kroeger, courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Erythrina verna ______ BR

Genus GLIRICIDIA
Gliricidia sepium (ph) ______ CR GU (TPCR:226) occurs from Mexico to northern South America
Quick Stick
S: Mata Raton, or Madero Negro, or Gallinitas

Gliricidia sepium,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"

Genus GLYCINE
Glycine max ______ (native to Asia, now widely cultivated, more in the subtropics than the tropics)
Soybean

Genus HAEMATOXYLON (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Haematoxylon brasiletto ______ CR

Genus HYMENAEA
Hymenaea courbaril ______ BR CR (TPCR:267) occurs in the West Indies, and from Mexico south to central South America
Stinking Toe
P: Jatoba
S: Guapinol

Another name for Hymenaea courbarii is West Indian Locust.

Genus INGA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)

There are about 300 species of Inga trees, with most of them in the Amazon forest region, but with some in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and other places in South America.
Over 50 species of Inga trees are known to occur in Costa Rica.

Inga species are canopy and subcanopy trees recognizable by their alternate, even-pinnate, leaves.
Their flowers are arranged in inflorescences that are "puffballs". The main part of each flower is the stamens, and it is the white filaments of the numerous stamens (25 to 130 per flower) that provide the visual attraction.
The flowers of Inga trees are most attractive to hummingbirds, and to some other birds. and to various butterflies and moths.
That is because Inga flowers secrete a nectar, that is enthusiastically fed upon by the creatures just mentioned.
Inga flowers often have a distinctive odor. Most are sweet-smelling, suggesting moths as pollinators. Others have a yeasty smell, suggesting bats as the pollinators. The rest only have a very faint odor or none. Perhaps odor is not important to the hummingbirds and butterflies that frequently visit them

Names for Inga trees in Spanish are: Guabo (in Costa Rica), or Guajiniquil, or Caite, or Paterno.
Inga brenesii ______ CR With inflorescences borne singly.
Inga coruscans ______ CR
Inga densiflora ______ CR With grouped, compound inflorescences.
Inga goldmanii ______ CR
Inga longispica ______ CR With grouped, compound inflorescences.
Inga marginata ______ CR
inga mortoniana ______ CR With inflorescences borne singly.
Inga oerstediana ______ CR
Inga paterno ______ CR
Inga punctata ______ CR With grouped, compound inflorescences.
Inga quaternata ______ CR With inflorerscences borne singly.
Inga ruiziana ______ CR
Inga sapindoides ______ CR
Inga thibaudiana ______ CR
Inga tonduzii ______ CR
Inga venusta ______ CR
Inga vera ______ CR
Inga vera vera ______ CR (TPCR:52)

Inga vera is the most common of the trees in its genus in dry regions of Costa Rica, where it often grows near rivers.

Genus LONCHOCARPUS
Lonchocarpus acuminatus ______ CR
Lonchocarpus costaricensis ______ CR
Lonchocarpus eriocarinalis ______ CR
Lonchocarpus minimiflorus ______ CR
Lonchocarpus oliganthus ______ CR
Lonchocarpus orotinus ______ CR
Lonchocarpus pentaphyllus ______ CR
Lonchocarpus rugosus ______ CR
Lonchocarpus velutinus ______ CR

Genus LYSILOMA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Lysiloma desmostachys ______ CR
Lysiloma seemannii ______ CR

Genus MACHAERIUM
Machaerium biovulatum ______ CR

Genus MACROLOBIUM (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Macrolobium costaricense ______ CR

Genus MIMOSA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)

There are 22 species of MIMOSA in Costa Rica.
Mimosa diplotricha ______ CR (was Mimosa invisa)

Mimosa diplotricha is similar to Mimosa polydactyla (below).
Mimosa pigra ______ CR
S: Zarca, or Dormilona

In Costa Rica, Mimosa pigra is a spiny, weedy shrub of the lowlands.
Mimosa polydactyla ______ CR
Mimosa pudica ______ CR DR (TPCR:93) (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Sensitive Plant (bush with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Sensitiva, or Dormidera, or Dormilona

One of the Spanish names just given, Dormilona, means "sleepy head", relating to the plant's most striking feature.
At night, or when the plant is touched, rained on, or experiencing a drastic temperature change, the leaflets fold up and the stem they are on collapses downward.

In the Dominican Republic, Mimosa pudica is a food plant for the butterfly Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia.
Mimosa xanthocentra ______ generally occurs in South America, similar to Mimosa pudica.

Genus MORA
Mora abbottii ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in Sierra Septentrional, Cordillera Central, Sierra de Yamasa)
S: Cola

Mora abbotii is a large tree.
Mora megistosperma ______ CR
S: Alcornoque, or Mora
Mora oleifera ______ CR

Genus MUCUNA

MUCUNA are large, extensive draping liana that climb by spiraling around other plants.
There are maybe 100 species of MUCUNA, 7 of which are in Costa Rica.

Morpho butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of MUCUNA. Agoutis eat and bury the seeds.
Mucuna sp. ______ CR (TPCR:293)
Mucuna
S: Ojo de Buey

Genus MYROSPERMUM
Myrospermum frutescens ______ CR

Genus PACHYRHIZUS
Pachyrhizus erosus ______ MX(YU)
Mexican Turnip (or Mexican Potato, or Yam Bean)
S: Jicama

Genus PARKIA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Parkia pendula ______ CR

Genus PARKINSONIA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE. now in subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE)
Parkinsonia aculeata ______ CR (TPCR:269) (native to warm areas of the Western Hemisphere)
Horsebeam (or Jerusalem Thorn, Mexican Palo Verde, Retama) (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Espinillo, or Flor de Mayo or Flor de Mayo

Genus PELTOGYNE (was in CAEALPINIACEAE, now in subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE)
Peltogyne purpurea ______ CR

Genus PENTACLETHRA (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Pentaclethra macroloba ______ CR (TPCR:240) occurs from Nicaragua to Panama, and in parts of South America
Pentaclethra
S: Gavilan

Genus PHASEOLUS
Phaseolus lunatus ______ MX(YU)
Lima Bean
S: Ibes

The Ib, or Common Lima Bean, is native to the Yucatan region of Mexico.
Ibes are said to be the fourth most important species in the Yucatecan milpa, along with black or common beans, corn, and squash.
There are about 12 varieties of the ib, the most typical being sak ib (white and flat), mulicion (small, round, and white) and chak ib (red).
In the Mayan market, bags of sak ib are a common sight, either dried or fresh.
The most plentiful harvest of Ibes occurs in December and January, although irrigation technology has made them more consistently available.
(from the book: "Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling)
Phaseolus vulgaris ______ CR MX(YU)
Black Bean
S: Frijoles Negro

Other names for Phaseolus vulgaris are Common Bean, Kidney Bean, Navy Bean, Snap Bean, or Pole Bean.

In Costa Rica (and in most of Latin America), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a "peasant crop" grown mostly on small farms.
It grows best in cooler regions with 1,000 mm or more of rain annually.

Genus PISCIDIA
Piscidia carthagenensis ______ CR
Piscidia piscipula ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Dogwood (name in CY)

Genus PITHECELLOBIUM (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Pithecellobium arboreum ______ CR
Pithecellobium brenesii ______ CR
Pithecellobium catenatum ______ CR
Pithecellobium costaricense ______ CR
Pithecellobium dulce ______ CR
Pithecellobium gigantifolium ______ CR
Pithecellobium longifolium ______ CR
Pithecellobium macrodenium ______ CR
Pithecellobium mangense ______ CR
Pithecellobium pedicellare ______ CR
Pithecellobium saman (*) ______ CR
Raintree
S: Cenizero, or Genizero

Pithcellobium saman is a spreading tree, native to the dry lowlands of Central America, from Mexico to northern South America.
In Costa Rica, it is a prominent feature in pastures in the region of Guanacaste.
During the same weeks when the tree refoliates, it bears thousands of white and pink flowers (inflorescences), and shortly afterward, in the last two months of the dry season (in March-April), its fruits mature.
Pithcellobium unguis-catis ______
Cat's-claw

On the island of Bonaire, Pithcellobium unguis-catis can be particularly attractive for the butterflies Phoebis argante and Phoebis agarithe. (The same for Senna bicapsularis, below.)
Pithecellobium valerioi ______ CR

Genus PLATYMISCIUM
Platymiscium pinnatum ______ CR
Platymiscium pleiostachyum ______ CR

Genus PROSOPIS (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Prosopis juliflora (*) ______ CR DR (in the Dominican Republic, a common mesquite in dry habitat)
S: Bayahonda blanca

Genus PTEROCARPUS
Pterocarpus hayesii ______ CR
Pterocarpus offinalis ______ CR (TPCR:253) occurs from Mexico to northern South America, also the West Indies
Bloodwood
S: Sangregado

Pterocarpus offinalis grows up to 90 feet high and has large buttresses, and red sap, hence its English and Spanish names

In Costa Rica, the Bloodwood Tree occurs in lowland wet forests with periodic flooding.
Pterocarpus rohrii ______ CR

Genus SCHIZOLOBIUM (was in CAEALPINIACEAE, now in subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE))
Schizolobium parahybum ______ CR (TPCR:29)

Genus SENNA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE, now in subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE)
Senna alata ______ CR (TPCR:92)
Candlestick Senna
Senna bicapsularis ______
Christmas Bush (or Yellow Candlewood)

On the island of Bonaire, Senna bicapsularis can be particularly attractive for the butterflies Phoebis argante and Phoebis agarithe.
Senna biflora ______ CR
S: Abejon
Senna emarginata ______ CR
Senna fruticosa ______ CR

Senna grandis (in this list elsewhere as Cassia grandis)
Senna pendula (var. indecora) (ph) ______ GU
S: Retama

Senna pendula, known as "Retama",
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"
Senna papillosa ______ CR
Senna reticulata ______ CR (TPCR:91)
S: Saragundi
Senna surattensis ______ (native to southeast Asia and Polynesia; has been planted in the Western Hemisphere, where it now grows wild)
Kolomona (bush with leaves pinnately divided)

Another name for Senna surattensis is Scrambled Egg Tree.

Genus SOPHORA
Sophora tomentosa ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Micar (name in CY)

Genus STRYPHNODENDRON (in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE)
Stryphnodendron excelsum ______ CR

Genus SWARTZIA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Swartzia cubensis ______ CR
Swartzia simplex ______ CR

Genus TACHIGALIA (was in CAESALPINIACEAE)
Tachigalia versicolor ______ CR

Genus TAMARINDUS
Tamarindus indica ______ CR (TPCR:178) probably from Africa, now in tropics and subtropics worldwide
Tamarind
S: Tamarindo

The Tamarind tree is tall, growing to a height of about 50 feet. On Caribbean islands, it is often planted as a wind-break to give protection during hurricanes and from strong winds.

The ripe fruit of the Tamarind forms a small brown pod about 4 inches long. When mature the pod has a pulpy interior surrounding several large seeds.
When still green, the fruit is slightly acidic and is used as a seasoning for fish and meat dishes.
In the unripe state, it is added to curries.
The ripe fruit is sometimes used to make a sugary sweet or candy which has a very spicy taste.
The fruit can also be crushed to make a drink with a strong aromatic flavor, that can be refreshing.

Genus TEPHROSIA
Tephrosia purpurea ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Tephrosia purpurea is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak.
Tephrosia senna ______ CY

Genus ULEX
Ulex europaeus ______ CR (TPCR:310) originally from western Europe, in Costa Rica at and near Poas Volcano
Gorse
S: Chucero

Genus URIBEA
Uribea tamarindoides ______ CR

Genus VIGNA
Vigna unguiculata ______ MX(YU) (native to Africa, introduced in the New Worlds in the 17th Century)
Black-eyed Pea (or Cowpea)
S: Espelon, or Caupi

Genus WILLARDIA
Willardia schiedeana ______ CR

Family FAGACEAE (Beeches, Oaks)

Genus QUERCUS (Oaks)
Quercus brenesii ______ CR
Quercus bumelioides (*) ______ CR (was Quercus copeyensis)

In Costa Rica, Quercus bumelioides mixes in with Quericus costaricensis (below).
Quercus corrugata ______ CR
Quercus costaricensis (*) ______ CR
a black oak
S: Encino, Roble

In Costa Rica, Quericus costaricensis is the principal species of oak in the highest forest.
Quercus guglielmi-treleasei ______ CR
Quercus insignus ______ CR
Quercus oleoides ______ CR (TPCR:272,273)
S: Roble Encino

Quercus oleoides is the only lowland oak in the American tropics. It ranges from Tamaulipas on the Gulf coast of Mexico south to Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

The acorns of Quercus oleoides are eaten by a variety of mammals, from squirrels to peccaries. White-headed Capuchin Monkeys gather them from the forest floor, taking them up into trees to eat.
Quercus oocarpa ______ CR
Quercus pilarius ______ CR
Quercus seemannii ______ CR
Quercus skinneri (*) (ph) ______ GU occurs in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

An Acorn and Leaves of the Oak, Quercus skinneri
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"

Family GENTIANACEAE (Gentians)

Genus EUSTOMA
Eustoma exaltatum ______ CY

Genus VOYRIA
Voyria parasitica ______ CY

Family GESNERIACEAE (Gesnerias)

Genus ACHIMENES
Achimenes longiflora (ph) ______ GU
S: Flor de Pena ("Rock Flower")

Achimenes longiflora, or "Rock Flower",
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"

Genus COLUMNEA

COLUMNEA are epiphytic. Most are hummingbird-pollinated.
Columnea glabra ______ CR (TPCR:295)
Columnea lepidocaulis ______ CR (TPCR:294) perhaps endemic to Costa Rica
Goldfish Plant
S: Columnea
Columnea magnifica ______ CR (TPCR:295)

Genus DRYMONIA

In Central America, plants in DRYMONIA are fed upon for their nectar by the hummingbird, the Violet Sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus.
Drymonia conchocalyx ______ CR (TPCR:297)
Drymonia rubra ______ CR (TPCR:296) occurs in Costa Rica and Panama

Genus KOHLERIA
Kohleria elegans (ph) ______ GU

Kohleria elegans,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"
Kohleria spicata ______ CR (TPCR:94) occurs from Mexico to Ecuador

Genus RHYTIDOPHYLLUM
Rhytidophyllum auriculatum ______ DR

Rhytidophyllum auriculatum is fed upon for its nectar by the Hispaniolan Emerald, Chlorostilbon swainsonii, a hummingbird endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Family GOODENIACEAE (Fan-flowers)

Genus SCAEVOLA
Scaevola plumieri ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Bay Balsam (name in CY)

Family GROSSULARIACEAE

Genus ESCALLONIA

Many species in ESCALLONIA are in the high Andes of South America.
Escallonia myrtilloides ______ CR (TPCR:311) occurs from Costa Rica to South America
Escallonia
S: Cipresillo
Escallonia paniculata ______ CR

Escallonia paniculata is less common in Costa Rica than Escallonia myrtilloides.

Family GUNNERACEAE

Genus GUNNERA

Sometimes plants in the GUNNERA genus are said to be in the family HALORAGACEAE.
Gunnera insignis ______ CR (TPCR:311,312) occurs from Nicaragua to Colombia
Poor Man's Umbrella
S: Sombrilla de Pobre

In Costa Rica, the Poor Man's Umbrella in wet forests on all of the major mountain ranges, from 3,000 to 7,800 feet above sea level. It is often on steep landslides and exposed ridges.
Gunnera talamancana ______ CR

Gunnera talamancana is a smaller species than Gunnera insignis. It occurs at higher elevations in Costa Rica.

Family JUGLANDACEAE (Walnuts)

Genus ALFAROA
Alfaroa costaricensis ______ CR
Alfaroa williamsii ______ CR

Genus CARYA
Carya illinoinensis ______ MX
Pecan

Family LAMIACEAE, or LABIATAE (Mints)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in LAMIACEAE.

Genus MENTHA
Mentha spicata ______ MX(YU)
Mint (or Spearmint)
S: Hierbabuena, or Yerbabuena

Genus OCIMUM
Ocimum micranthum (or campechianum) ______ CY
Amazonian Basil
Pimento Basil (name in CY)
S: Alfavaca de campo

Other names for Ocimum micranthum (or campechianum) include Wild Sweet Basil, Peruvian Basil, Spice Basil, and Wild Mosquito Plant.

Genus PLECTRANTHUS
Plectranthus amboinicus ______ MX(YU) (native to eastern Africa, now in the Yucatan of Mexico)
Cuban Oregano (or Spanish Thyme, or Mexican Thyme, or Indian Borage)
S: Oreganon, or Oregano Orejon, or Oregano Cubano

Genus SALVIA
Salvia caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)
Salvia elegans ______ (native to Mexico and Guatemala)
Pineapple Sage

Another name for Salvia elegans is Tangerine Sage.

In its native range, Salvia elegans is in Mesoamerican Pine-oak forests from 6,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level.

A Calliope Hummingbird feeding at Pineapple Sage.
The plant is a favorite of hummingbirds both where it is native and planted.
Salvia montecristiana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in the Morro of Monte Cristi)
Salvia wagneriana ______ GU

Salvia wagneriana grows four or five feet high, and its colors are very striking against green shrubbery.
Its pinkish-red flowers are large and as attractive in bud as when open, since they emerge from large bronze bracts, which fall as the flower opens.

Genus TECTONA
Tectona grandis ______ (native to southern Asia, from India to Thailand)
Teak (a tree with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Teca

Family LAURACEAE (Laurels)

There are about 130 LAURACEAE species in Costa Rica. Many of the trees in this family produce small to medium-sized fruits that are critical to the survival of a special bird, the Resplendent Quetzal, whose altitudinal movements relate to which species of LAURACEAE are fruiting when and where.
Not only quetzals, but also toucans, Three-wattled Bellbirds, and Black Guans eat the fruits and disperse the seeds.

Genus AIOUEA
Aioucea costaricensis ______ CR

Genus BEILSCHMIEDIA
Beilschmiedia costaricense ______ CR
Beilschmiedia mexicana ______ CR

Genus CASSYTHA
Cassytha filiformis ______ CY
Dodder (name in CY)

Genus CINNAMOMUM
Cinnamomum aromaticum ______ MX(YU)
Cassia Cinnamon
S: Canela

Cinnamomum aromaticum is the "cinnamon" used in the United States.
It has a thick, hard bark with a strong and pungent aroma, but is generally considered a "poor relation" to the Ceylon Cinnamon (below).
(from the book "Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling)
Cinnamomum verum ______ MX(YU) (native to Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon)
Ceylon Cinnamon
S: Canela

Genus CRYPTOCARYA
Cryptocarya aschersoniana ______ BR
P: Canela Batalha

Birds that feed on the fruits of Cryptocarya aschersoniana include: bellbirds, thrushes, the Kiskadee, guans, tanagers, euphonias, and others.

Genus LICARIA
Licaria triandra ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus NECTANDRA
Nectandra davidsoniana ______ CR
Nectandra gentlei ______ CR
Nectandra reticulata ______ CR
Nectandra salicina ______ CR
Nectrandra smithii ______ CR

Genus OCOTEA

Some of the following in this OCOTEA genus of wild avocados are host plants for the Sphinx moth, Adhemarius ypsilon, notably: Ocotea atirrhensis, Ocotea dendrodaphne, Ocotea nicaraguensis, Ocotea veraguensis.
Ocotea atirrhensis ______ CR
Ocotea austinii ______ CR
Ocotea bernoulliana ______ CR
Ocotea cernua ______ CR
Ocotea cooperi ______ CR
Ocotea coriacea ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (vulnerable in CY)
Sweetwood (name in CY)
Ocotea dendrodaphne ______ CR
Ocotea endresiana ______ CR
Ocotea ira ______ CR
Ocotea mollifolia ______ CR
Ocotea nicaraguensis ______ CR
Ocotea pedalifolia ______ CR
Ocotea stenoneura ______ CR
Ocotea tenera ______ CR (TPCR:299) in Costa Rica, in lower forest, and sometimes in Caribbean lowland forest
Ocotea tonduzii (*) ______ CR in Costa Rica, in the lower cloud forest

Nearly 20 species of birds consume the fruits of Ocotea tonduzii, including the Resplendent Quetzal (below).

Wild relatives of the Avocado (in the Ocotea genus)
are the favored foods of the Resplendent Quetzal
in Central America.
During FONT tours in Costa Rica, Guatemala,
Honduras, and Panama, we've watched the birds
eating such fruits.
Ocotea veraguensis ______ CR
Ocotea wachenheimii ______ CR

Genus PERSEA
Persea americana (*) ______ CR MX(YU) (TPCR:180)   originally from Mexico to Colombia, now cultivated elsewhere
Avocado (or Alligator Pear)
S: Aguacate

The tree Persea americana attains a height of about 30 feet and has dark green, shiny foliage and clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers, which are light green in color.
It is not an easy tree to identify except for its characteristic fruit which, because of its shape, is sometimes called an "avocado pear". But, in fact, wild avocados vary enormously in their shape.

In the Yucatan region of Mexico, the most consumed variety of the Avocado is a large pear-shaped fruit about 6-7 inches in length, with thin, smooth, dark green skin. The flesh is soft with a pale green to yellow color lightening toward the center, where one large seed is located.

The Avocado is one of the earliest domesticated trees in the Neotropics. In the Mayan region, there is evidence of the consumption of varieties of Avocado cultivated in family orchards since at least 3,400 years ago.
The primary growing season for Avocados in the Yucatan is from July to October, although they do grow year-round.

Mainly, the consumption of the Avocado in the Yucatan is sliced, as a plate garnish or as a topping for tacos.
Its most famous use must surely be in the preparation of guacamole, the recipe variants for which are almost infinite.
The word "guacamole" is derived from the Nahuatl: "abuacatl" = avocado, and "molli" = sauce.
(from the book "Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling)

The Avocado, when either mashed into guacamole, added to soups, or just eaten with a little lemon and salt, is a very good source of vitamins A, B, and E.
The textured flesh of the Avocado is up to 30 per cent oil, rich in oleic acid.
Persea caerulea ______ CR
Persea schiedeana ______ CR

Genus PHOEBE
Phoebe mexicana ______ CR
Phoebe neurophylla ______ CR
Phoebe valeriana ______ CR

Family LECYTHIDACEAE (Brazil Nut plants)

Genus BERTHOLLETIA
Bertholletia exselsa (*) ______ BR
Brazil Nut Tree

Brazil Nut Trees are large, very large, growing up to 130 feet in height, rising solitarily well above the canopy of the both terra firme and flood plain (varzea) forests.
The fruit of the tree is like a huge, heavy cannon ball (to 4.5 pounds), and almost as hard.
When it falls during the fruiting season, one does not want to underneath.
Inside that "cannon ball", the 15 to 20 large seeds are extracted only with considerable effort - even when done by a person with a machete.
Rodents, such as Agoutis, however, on the forest floor can, with persistent gnawing, get to the delicious seeds inside.
As each seed is 70 per cent fat, the rodent is full after eating one or two. The uneaten seeds are then taken and buried in a cache for another day.
The pollination of Bertholletia exselsa is done by Orchid Bees, which must find alternate sources of nectar during the 11 months when the tree is not in flower.

The name of the country, Brazil, is from the French word bresil, which originally referred to the reddish color dye that was traditionally extracted from the Brazil Nut.

During FONT tours in Brazilian Amazon forests, Brazil Nuts have been found on the ground, but never did one fall on any of us as we were birding in the forest.

Eating, a Brazilian Agouti, photographed during a FONT tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus CARINIANA
Cariniana pyriformis ______ CR

Genus COURATARI
Couratari panamensis ______ CR

Genus COUROUPITA
Couropita guianensis ______ PN (native to Panama and northern South America, cultivated elsewhere)
Cannonball Tree (with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Bala de Canon, or Coco del Mono, or Taparon

Couropita guianensis has red and pink flowers.

Couropita guianensis is cultivated more than Couropita nicaraguarensis (below).
Couropita nicaraguarensis ______ CR (TPCR:275) occurs in parts of El Salvador. Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
Cannonball Tree
S: Zapote de Concha, or Zapote de Mico, or Bala de Canon

Couripita nicaraguarensis is rare in Costa Rica. It is found in Guanacaste at Palo Verde and the Lomas Barbudal reserve.

Genus ESCHWEILERA
Eschweilera calyculata ______ CR

Genus GRIAS
Grias fendleri ______ CR

Genus GUSTAVIA
Gustavia augusta ______ (originally grew in northern South America)
Gustavia (with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Geniparana
S: Guatoso, or Matamata
Gustavia brachycarpa ______ CR

Genus LECYTHIS
Lecythis ampla ______ CR
Lecythis costaricensis ______ CR (TPCR:242)
Monkey Pot Tree
S: Jicaro, or Olla de Mono

The "Monkey Pot" name refers to monkeys grasping a seed in the pyxidium and then being unable to extract the closed hand. So the empty pyxidium (that is the "monkey pot") is supposedly used with bait to catch monkeys.
Lecythis minor ______ CR

Family LILIACEAE (Lilies)

Genus CALOCHORTUS

Flowers in CALOCHORTUS are the Mariposa Lilies with open wedge-shaped petals, the Globe Lilies and Fairy Lanterns with globe-shaped flowers, and Cats-ears and Star Tulips with erect pointed petals.
The word CALOCHORTUS is from Greek and means "beautiful grass".

There are approximately 70 species in the CALOCHORTUS genus, mostly in the western United States. But there are a few species found throughout Mexico, and 1 in Guatemala (noted below).

The photo below, representative of the Mariposa Lilies, was taken in the western US. It is Calochortus gunnisonii.

A Mariposa Lily (photo by Sally Brady)
Colochortus ghiesbreghtii ______ GU MX

Genus HYMENOCALLIS
Hymenocallis latifolia ______ CY
Spider Lily

Hymenocallis latifolia was previously placed in the Amaryllis family, AMARYLLIDACEAE.

Family LORANTHACEAE (Mistletoes)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in LORANTHACEAE.

Genus DENDROPEMON
Dendropemon caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to Little Cayman Island) (critically endangered)

Genus GAIADENDRON
Gaiadendron poasense ______ CR

Genus PSITTACANTHUS

PSITTACANTHUS species are among the various sources of nectar for the Amazilia Hummingbird, Amazilia amazilia, in South America, and the Cinnamon Hummingbird. Amazilia rutila, in Central America.

There are 9 species of PSITTACANTHUS.
Psittacanthus calyculatus (ph) ______ GU
S: Liga, or Matapalo

Psittacanthus calyculatus, in the Mistletoe family,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"
Psittacanthus schiedeanus ______ CR (TPCR:314) occurs from Mexico to Panama
a mistletoe
S: Matapalo

Among trees on which Psittacanthus schiedeanus grows are oaks, in the family FAGACEAE.

Family LYTHRACEAE (Loosestrifes)

Genus AMMANIA
Ammania latifolia ______ CY

Genus LAGERSTROEMIA
Lagerstroemia speciosa ______ CR (TPCR:35) (native to Asia in India and China)
Queen's Crape Myrtle, or Pride of India

Genus PUNICA
Punica granatum ______ (grows on some Caribbean islands)
Pomegranate (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Granado

Pomegranate fruits grow on a medium-sized tree, about 20 feet in height, with characteristically spiny branches.
The flowers are reddish, sometimes even scarlet in color, and they have crinkly, paper-like petals.
The fruit is round in shape and about the size of an orange. It has a thick, smooth, leathery skin which turns yellow-red when the fruit is ripe.
The pulp inside is very juicy and contains a mass of small, white seeds.
The peel of the fruit is rich in tannins which can be used to produce high quality leather.

Pomegranate is usually eaten raw, but sometimes the juice is used to make a drink called grenadine.

Family MAGNOLIACEAE (Magnolias)

Genus MAGNOLIA
Magnolia harmori ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola) (a threatened species)
Bahoruco Magnolia
S: Ebano de Bahoruco, or Caimoni

In the Dominican Republic, Magnolia harmori occurs in the areas of Barahona and the cloud forests of Bahoruco Oriental.
Magnolia pallescens ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola)
Pale Magnolia (or Hispaniolan Green Ebony)
S: Ebano Verde

In the Dominican Republic, Magnolia pallescens occurs in the Cordillera Central, where there is a scientific reserve established to protect it.
Magnolia poasana ______ CR

Genus TALAUMA
Talauma sambuensis ______ CR

Family MALPIGHIACEAE

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in MALPIGHIACEAE.

Genus BANISTERIOPSIS
Banisteriopsis caapi ______

Banisteriopsis caapi is used by native people in South America as a hallucinogen in ceremonies.

Genus BUNCHOSIA
Bunchosia biocellata ______ CR
Bunchosia macrophylla ______ CR
Bunchosia media ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Bunchosia pilosa ______ CR
Bunchosia swartziana ______ CR
Bunchosia ternata ______ CR

Genus BYRSONIMA
Byrsonima aerugo ______ CR
Byrsonima basiloba ______ BR
P: Murici

Birds that feed on the fruits of Byrsonima basiloba and other plants in that genus include: curassows, the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, and the Spot-winged Wood-Quail.
Byrsonima crassifolia ______ CR MX(YU) (TPCR:53,54) occurs from Mexico to Paraguay, also in the West Indies
Nance, or Shoemaker's Tree
S: Nance, or Nancite, or Nancen, or Nanche

Other English names for Byrsonima crassifolia are Golden Spoon, Murici, or Sour Murici.
Byrsonima crispa ______ BR
Byrsonima lucida ______ occurs in the West Indies, and Florida in the US
Locustberry
Byrsonima myrifolia ______ BR
Byrsonima verbascifolia ______ BR

Genus MALPIGHIA
Malpighia cubensis ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Lady Hair (name in CY)
Malpighia emarginata ______ (originally grew on Caribbean islands, and in northern South America)
Barbados Cherry (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Acerola, or Escobillo, or Grosella, or Semeruco

The Barbados Cherry is a small tree, often pruned back and used for making ornamental hedges in gardens.
The fruit grows to about the size of an ordinary cherry. Its color varies at different stages in its development starting as a dull orange and then gradually darkening to a reddish-brown when mature.

An interesting feature of the Barbados Cherry is its very high ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content. Weight for weight, it is much richer in this specific nutritional aspect than most citrus fruits. It is also said that its vitamin C is destroyed less easily by cooking than is the case with other fruits.
The fruit is seldom eaten raw as its taste to too sharp for comfort, and so its is used in puddings, or made into jam, jelly and other preserves.
Malpighia glabra ______ CR
Malpighia lundellii ______ CR

Genus TETRAPTERIS
Tetrapteris schiedeana ______ CR

Family MALVACEAE (Mallows)

includes here what was the family BOMBACACEAE, the COTTON TREE PLANTS,
now the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE

also included here is TILIACEAE (the genus CORCHORUS)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in MALVACEAE.

Genus ABUTILON
Abutilon megapotamicum ______ (originally grew in southern Brazil)
Trailing Abutilon (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Lanterna Japonesa

Abutilon megapotamicum can be attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

Genus BASTARDIA
Bastardia viscosa ______ CY

Genus BOMBAX
Bombax ceiba ______ BR
Red Cotton Tree
P: Bombax

Bombax ceiba is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE.

When in bloom, Bombax ceiba can be especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

Genus CAVANILLESIA
Cavanillesia platanifolia ______ (occurs from Panama to Ecuador)
Cuipo Tree
S: Hameli, or Macondo

Cavanillesia platanifolia is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE.

Cuipo Trees can be big, attaining a height of 200 feet.
But, its wood is among the softest of any tree.

The large, and distinctive Cuipo Tree has been seen during FONT tours in eastern Panama, and especially in Darien.

Genus CEIBA
Ceiba pentandra (*) ______ BR CR (TPCR:41,42,43) (native to Central and South America)
Kapok Tree (with leaves palmately divided)
S: Ceiba

Other names for Ceiba pentandra include Giant Kapok, or Ceiba Tree.

Ceiba pentandra is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE.
Ceiba speciosa (was Chorisia speciosa) ______ (native to southern Brazil and northern Argentina)
Floss Silk Tree (tree with leaves palmately divided)
S: Ceiba del Brasil

Ceiba speciosa is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE.

Genus CHIRANTHODENDRON
Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (ph) ______ GU
Hand-flower (or Devil's Monkey Hand Tree, or Mexican Hand Tree)
S: Arbol de las Manitas

Other names for Chiranthodendron pentadactylon include Little Hand Flower Tree and Little Tiger's Foot.

As indicated with the names above, the flower of Chiranthodendron pentadactylon bears a striking resemblance to an open human hand. Guatemalans liken it to a tiger's foot.
The species is native to Guatemala and southern Mexico. On wet slopes in that area, the tree may reach a height of 35 to 90 feet. It blooms most of the year, and the blossoms can be collected from the ground.

Years ago, the Mexican botanist Maximino Martinez wrote that for a long time a single Mexican Hand Tree grew in a neighborhood of Toluca, where it was venerated by the Indians. They believed that it was the only one of its kind in the world and that the gods had willed that none other should ever exist.

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon,
the Devil's Monkey Hand Tree, or Hand-flower,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"

Genus CHORISIA
Chorisia speciosa ______ BR
P: Paineira Rosa

Chorisia speciosa is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE. Its flowers can be especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

Genus CORCHORUS
Corchorus hirsutus ______ CY

Genus DOMBEYA
Dombeya wallichii ______ BR
Pink Ball Tree

Dombeya wallichii is a favored food source for the hummingbird, the Black Jacobin, Florisuga fusca.

Genus ERIOTHECA
Eriotheca candolleana ______ BR
P: Embirucuzinho

Eriotheca candolleana is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE.

Genus GOSSYPIUM
Gossypium hirsutum ______ CR
American Upland Cotton
Gossypium barbadense ______
Sea Island Cotton
Gossypium peruvianum ______ CR (originally grew in the Western Hemisphere, in Peru)
Pima Cotton (or Peruvian Cotton)
S: Algodon del Pais

Historians believe that Pima Cotton was used in Peru 10,000 years ago. If so, it would be one of the oldest known cultural plants in the world.
4 of the approximately 40 Gossypium species are used for cotton.

Another name for Gossypium barbdense is Egyptian Cotton, even though the plant originated, as noted above, in the Western Hemisphere.

Genus GUAZUMA
Guazuma ulmifolia ______ CR
S: Guacima

Guazuma ulmifolia is fed upon by the butterfly Adelpha iphiclus, the Iphiclus Sister.

Genus HAMPEA
Hampea appendiculata ______ CR (TPCR:55)
Doll's Eyes
S: Burio

Genus HIBISCUS (Rose Mallows)

Worldwide, there are more than 200 species of HIBISCUS, and thousands of hybrids including red, white, and peach-colored cultivars.
Hibiscus esculentus ______
Okra

Okra is also known as Gumbo. It is used as a vegetable in many Caribbean dishes.
Hibiscus pernambucensis ______ CR CY (TPCR:339) occurs from Mexico to Ecuador (endangered in CY)
Seaside Mahoe
S: Majagua
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (*) (ph) ______ CR DR (TPCR:140,141)

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis originated in tropical Asia. Now, in the American tropics and on Caribbean islands it is a popular exotic plant.

In the Dominican Republic, Hisbiscus rosasinensis is a food plant for the butterflies: Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail. Papilio androgeus, the Androgeus Swallowtail, Anetia pantherata, the Great King.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, with a hummingbird feeding at the flower.
The hummingbird here is an Antillean Mango.
(photo by Rob Van Brussel)
Hibiscus sabdariffa ______
Sorrel
Hibiscus schizopetalus ______ CR (TPCR:141)
Hibiscus tilaceus ______ CR
Coast Hibiscus (a bush with simple, alternating leaves)

Genus KOSTELETZKYA
Kosteletzkya pentasperma ______ CY

Genus LUEHEA
Luehea candida ______ CR
S: Guacimo Molenillo, or Molenillo

Genus MALVASTRUM
Malvastrum corchorifolium ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus MALVAVISCUS
Malvaviscus arboreus (ph) ______ CR CY GU (has spread from the southern US into South America)
Sleeping Hibiscus, or Turk's cap (a bush with simple, alternating leaves)
Mahoe (name in CY)
S: Amapola, or Monacillo, or Tulipipancillo

Malvaviscus arboreus is especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds and butterflies. Its flowers do not open fully.

Malvaviscus arboreus, the Sleeping Hibiscus,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"
Malvaviscus pendidiflorus ______ CR (TPCR:142)
Turk's Cap

Genus OCHROMA
Ochroma pyramidale ______ CR (TPCR:44) (native to tropical America)
Balsa Tree
S: Balsa

Genus PACHIRA
Pachira aquatica ______ CR (TPCR:252) (originally grew in South America)
Guiana Chestnut (a tree with leaves palmately divided)
S: Amapola, or Castano de Agua, or Zapote de Agua, or Palo de Boya

Pachira aquatica is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE. Other names for it are Provision Tree, and in Spanish: Jelinjoche (in Costa Rica).

Genus ROBINSONELLA
Robinsonella cordata ______ GU

Robinsonella cordata is a small tree. When in full bloom, it is an astonishing sight. The pale blue, contrasting with the surrounding greens and browns, has a shimmering lightness of silver.
It grows over a widespread area in southern Mexico and Guatemala, but apparently not abundantly.

Genus SIDA
Sida ciliaris ______ CY

Genus THESPESIA
Thespesia populnea ______ CY
Plopnut (name in CY)

Genus URENA
Urena lobata ______ DR
Ceasar's Weed

In the Dominican Republic, Urena lobata is a food plant for the butterfly Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia.

Genus WERCKLEA
Wercklea insignis ______ CR

Family MARANTACEAE (Arrowroot, or Prayer-plant family)

Among the Lepidoptera species that feed on plants in MARANTACEAE is the nymphalid butterfly Opsiphanes tamarindi. the Heliconia Owlet.

Genus CALATHEA

CALATHEA flowers are favored food for the hummingbird, the Band-tailed Barbthroat. The hummingbird pierces the base of the plant's corolla.

There are more than 3 dozen CALATHEA species in Costa Rica. More than one of them are called "Rattlesnake Plant".
Calathea crotaliifera ______ CR (TPCR:97) occurs from Mexico to Ecuador
Rattlesnake Plant
S: Bijagua
Calathea insignis ______ CR
Rattlesnake Plant
S: Hoja Negra, or Hoja de Sal, or Bijagua
Calathea lutea ______ CR (TPCR:98) occurs from Mexico to South America
S: Bijagua, or Hoja Blanca

Calathea lutea is a host plant for the butterfly Opsiphanes bogotanus, the Bogota Owl Butterfly.

Genus MARANTA
Maranta arundinacea ______ (grows in the wild in Central America and northern South America)
Arrowroot (an herbaceous perennial plant)

Arrowroot is cultivated in a large scale on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent.

True arrowroot is the starch obtained from the rhizome or underground stem. It was used, it is said, to treat skin wounds caused by poison arrows.
Now, it is also used for the starching of clothes, and the thickening of soups, puddings, and various sauces, as well as being an ingredient in face powders and glues.

Genus MANETTIA

The tubular flowers of MANETTIA species are a favored food of the hummingbird, the Straight-billed Hermit.

Family MELASTOMATACEAE (Melastomes)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 175 described species in MELASTOMATACEAE.

Genus CENTRONIA
Centronia phlomoides ______ CR

Genus CONOSTEGIA
Conostegia formosa ______ CR
Conostegia hirtella ______ CR
Conostegia macrantha ______ CR
Conostegia oerstediana ______ CR (TPCR:56)

In Costa Rica, Conostegia oerstediana replaces Conostegia xalapensis (below) at elevations higher than about 4,350 feet above sea level.
Conostegia pittieri ______ CR
Conostegia volcanicola ______ CR
Conostegia xalapensis ______ CR (TPCR:56) occurs from southern Mexico to northern South America
S: Lengua de Gato

Genus GRAFFENRIEDA
Graffenrieda micrantha ______ CR

Genus HENRIETTELLA
Henriettella tuberculosa ______ CR

Genus MICONIA

There are about 1,000 species of MICONIA in the Neotropics, with nearly 100 species in Costa Rica.
Miconia affinis ______ CR
Miconia appendiculata ______ CR
Miconia argentea ______ CR (TPCR:57)
S: Maria
Miconia bipulifera ______ CR
Miconia brenesii ______ CR
Miconia calvescens ______ CR
Miconia centrodesma ______ CR
Miconia costaricensis ______ CR
Miconia elata ______ CR
Miconia flavida ______ CR
Miconia glaberrima ______ CR
Miconia gracilis ______ CR
Miconia serrulata ______ CR
Miconia tonduzii ______ CR

Genus MONOCHAETUM
Monochaetum vulcanicum ______ CR (TPCR:315) endemic to Costa Rica
Melastoma of the Volcanoes
S: Escoba Real, Milflores

Genus MOURIRI
Mouriri parvifolia ______ CR

Genus TIBOUCHINA
Tibouchina urvilleana ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Glory Bush (with simple, opposite leaves)

Genus TOPOBEA
Topobea brenesii ______ CR

Family MELIACEAE (Mahogany)

MELIACEAE is a family long famous for its cabinet-quality woods, and its stubborn taxonomic problems.

Genus CARAPA
Carapa guianensis ______ CR
S: Cedro Macho, or Caobilla

Genus CEDRELA
Cedrela mexicana ______ CR
Cedrela odorata ______ CR CY (TPCR:58) occurs from Mexico to South America, and the West Indies
Spanish Cedar
Cedar (name in CY)
S: Cedro Amargo

On the Cayman Islands, Cedrela odorata is critically endangered.
Cedrela salvadorensis ______ CR a rare plant, it occurs in Costa Rica at low to middle elevations
Cedrela tonduzii ______ CR (TPCR:59) occurs in Costa Rica at higher elevations

Genus GUAREA
Guarea brevianthera ______ CR
Guarea bullata ______ CR
Guarea chichon ______ CR
Guarea excelsa ______ CR
Guarea glabra ______ CR
Guarea microcarpa ______ CR
Guarea rhopalocarpa ______ CR
Guarea tonduzii ______ CR
Guarea trichiloides ______ CR
Guarea tuisana ______ CR

Genus RUAGEA
Ruagea caoba ______ CR

Genus SWIETENIA
Swietenia macrophylla ______ CR (ranges from the Gulf coast of Mexico to Amazonian Bolivia)
Big-leaf Mahogany
S: Caoba
Swietenia mahagoni ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)
Swietenia humilis ______ CR
Pacific Coast Mahogany
S: Caoba

Less known commercially than Swietenia macrophylla (above), Swietenia humilis occurs in a narrow band along the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America. There is also a small disjunct population near Lake Izabal in eastern Guatemala.
The native ranges of both Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia humilis join in northwestern Costa Rica in Guanacaste and adjacent Puntarenas, where hybridization apparently occurs.
Mahogany is absent from most or all of the rest of Costa Rica.

Genus TRICHILIA
Trichilia colimana ______ CR
Trichilia cuneata ______ CR
Trichilia glabra ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Trichilia havanensis ______ CR CY (TPCR:59) occurs from Mexico to northern South America
Uruca
S: Uruca

On the Cayman Islands, Trichilia havanensis is critically endangered.
In Costa Rica, however, it is one of the most popular street trees in the capital city of San Jose.
Trichilia hirta ______ CR
Trichilia moritzii ______ CR
Trichilia trifolia ______ CR

Family MENISPERMACEAE

Genus CISSAMPELOS
Cissampelos pareira ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Quacori (name in CY)

Genus HYPERBAENA
Hyperbaena tonduzii ______ CR

Family MORACEAE (Mulberry plants)

Genus ARTOCARPUS
Artocarpus artilis ______ CR (TPCR:145) native to Malaysia, introduced in the West Indies and elsewhere in tropical America
Breadfruit (a tree with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Arbol de Pan

In Costa Rica, Breadfruit is more popular on the Caribbean side, where it is grown for food or as an ornamental shade tree.

The Saint Vincent Botanical Garden (that we have visited during all FONT tours on that island) boasts a specimen of Artocarpus artilis that is claimed to have been grown from a sucker of one of Captain Bligh's original breadfruit trees, brought from the South Pacific to the Caribbean in 1793.
Artocarpus heterophyllus ______ (native to Malaysia)
Jackfruit

Genus BATOCARPUS
Batocarpus costaricensis ______ CR

Genus BROSIMUM

Plants in BROSIMUM, such as the Milk Tree, Brosimum utile, are host plants for the butterfly Marpesia merops, the Spot-banded Daggerwing.
Brosimum alicastrum ______ CR MX(YU) (TPCR:276) occurs in Mexico and Central America, and on some Caribbean islands
Bread Nut (or Mayan Nut)
S: Ramon, or Ojite, or Capomo, or Ojoche (in Costa Rica)

Although it is not found in the food markets in the Yucatan of Mexico, the Bread Nut, or Ramon, has an important history in the region.
Brosimum alicastrum is a large, leafy evergreen tree in the same family as the mulberry and the fig.
It is naturally distributed throughout Mesoamerica, into Central America, and as far south as Brazil.
In addition to having lush foliage that is used as fodder for horses and cattle, Ramon produces a small yellow fruit - about an inch in diameter - inside of which is a thin layer of sweet pulp that forest animals love. At the core is a large edible seed that is highly nutritious,
While it is debated whether Ramon was a staple or a "famine food" among the ancient, there is no disagreement that the Ramon seed was consumed in March and April, a time of year during which corn had yet to be planted but the Ramon was giving fruit.
Ramon has been, and continues to be a quintessentially Mayan foodstuff.
(from the book: "Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling)

Brosimum alicastrum is a host plant for the butterfly Marpesia chiron, the Many-banded Daggerwing.
Brosimum costaricanum ______ CR
Brosimum guianense ______ CR
Brosimum lactescens ______ CR
Brosimum utile (*) ______ CR
Milk Tree
S: Baco, or Mastate

Brosimum utile is the famous "Cow Tree", in Spanish "Palo de Vaca", as it, and other species in is genus, produce copious white latex that is more or less drinkable.
Brosimum utile also has useful wood and edible fruit.

The "Cow Tree", or "Palo de Vaca" was discovered in Venezuela at the beginning of the 19th Century by Alexander von Humboldt. He wrote a description of its use of its latex.
The species ranges from the Amazon basin north through Colombia to southwestern Costa Rica, where it is restricted to the tropical wet life zone in the Pacific lowlands.
In Corcovado National Park, in that part of southwestern Costa Rica, Brosimum utile is one of the most abundant canopy trees on well-drained slopes and ridges, attaining a height of 165 feet and having a diameter of up to near 5 feet.

During one of the early FONT Costa Rica Tours in a rain forest on the Osa Peninsula at the back edge of Corcovado, a memorable moment was when our local guide, who we called "Freddie with the Machete", used his machete on the trunk of a Milk Tree and we watched the latex flow.
Nearby, on the ground below, there were Jaguar tracks. High up in the trees above, there were the loud raucous calls of Scarlet Macaws.

Genus CASTILLA
Castilla elastica ______ CR
Panama Rubber Tree
Castilla tuna ______ CR

Genus CHLOROPHORA
Chlorophora tinctoria ______ CR

Genus CLARISIA
Clarisia biflora ______ CR
Clarisia mexicana ______ CR

Clarisia mexicana is a host plant for the butterflies Marpesia chiron, the Many-banded Daggerwing and Marpesia berania, the Orange Daggerwing.

Genus FICUS
Ficus aurea ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman islands) (vulnerable in CY)
Wild Fig (name in CY)
Ficus brevibracteata ______ CR
Ficus citrifolia ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Barren Fig (name in CY)
Ficus dugandi ______ CR
Ficus glabrata ______ CR
Ficus goldmanii ______ CR
Ficus harwegii ______ CR
Ficus insipida (was Ficus crassiuscula) (*) ______ BR CR
Strangler Fig
Ficus macbridei ______ CR
Ficus maxima ______ CR
Ficus ovalis ______ CR
Ficus schippii ______ CR
Ficus tonduzii ______ CR
Ficus tuerckheimii ______ CR
Ficus turrialbana ______ CR
Ficus velutina ______ CR
Ficus yoponensis ______ CR
Ficus sp. ______ CR DR (TPCR:60)
S: Higo

Genus MACLURA
Maclura tinctoria ______ CR CY (critically endangered in CY)
Fustic (name in CY)

Maclura tinctoria is a host plant for the butterfly Marpesia chiron, the Many-banded Daggerwing.

Genus MAQUIRA
Maquira costaricana ______ CR

Genus NAUCLEOPSIS
Naucleopsis naga ______ CR

Genus PEREBEA
Perebea angustifolia ______ CR

Genus POULSENIA
Poulsenia armata ______ CR

Genus POUROUMA
Pourouma aspera ______ CR
Pourouma minor ______ CR

Genus PSEUDOLMEDIA
Pseudolmedia oxyphyllaria ______ CR

Genus SOROCEA
Sorocea cufodontisii ______ CR
Sorocea pubivena ______ CR
Sorocea trophoides ______ CR

Genus TROPHIS
Trophis involucrata ______ CR

Trophis involucrata is a host plant for the butterfly Marpesia berania, the Orange Daggerwing.

An Orange Daggerwing, photographed during a FONT tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Trophis racemosa ______ CR

Family MUSACEAE (Banana Plants, Heliconias)

Genus HELICONIA

HELICONIA species can be an especially good food source for certain hummingbirds.
With their deep flowers, the plants in this genus are favored by the White-tipped Sicklebill and the Buff-tailed Sicklebill, the hummingbirds with the most strongly curved bills.
Other hummingbirds that frequent HELICONIAS include: Bronzy Hermit, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Long-tailed Hermit, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Sooty Barbthroat, Pale-bellied Hermit, Violet Sabrewing, Gray-breasted Sabrewing.
A special relationship between two species of HELICONIAS and a hummingbird in the Caribbean (the Purple-throated Carib) is referred to below.

A White-tipped Sicklebill feeding at Heliconia.
This unusual hummingbird has been seen at such plants
during FONT tours in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.

A number of Lepidoptra species feed on HELICONIA, including the butterfly Opsiphanes tamarindi, the Heliconia Owlet.
Heliconia bihai (*) (ph) ______ BR CR DR GU   occurs in Central America, South America, and the West Indies; especially common in northern Brazil
Wild Plantain (or Lobster-claw)
S: Platanillo

Other names for Heliconia bihai include: Macaw Flower, False Bird-of-Paradise, Balisier

Heliconia bihai is also said to be Heliconia humilis.

Heliconia bihai,
from the "Flowers of Guatemala"

In the Dominican Republic, Heliconia bihai is fed upon for its nectar by the Hispaniolan Emerald, Chlorostilbon swainsonii, a hummingbird endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

Further south in the Caribbean, Heliconia bihai is the favored plant for feeding for the female Purple-throated Carib, a hummingbird in the Lesser Antilles.
Interestingly, however, another species, Heliconia caribaea (below), is the preferred food source for the male Purple-throated Carib.
There is a difference in the bill shape of the male and female Purple-throated Caribs, and Heliconia bihai has a longer corolla.
In areas where Heliconia caribaea is rare or absent, the flowers of Heliconia bihai occur in two different shapes (morphs), one of which is shaped like the flowers of Heliconia caribaea and caters to the male Purple-throated Carib.
This reflects a very close co-evolutionary link between Heliconia bihai and its key pollinator.
The males of the Purple-throated Carib are territorial around prime feeding sites, while the females wander more widely and do not defend their feeding grounds.

Purple-throated Caribs have been observed feeding during FONT tours on the Caribbean islands of Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent.



A Purple-throated Carib photographed during a FONT tour
Heliconia caribaea (*) ______ occurs in the West Indies from Jamaica and Cuba to Saint Vincent
Wild Plantain

Heliconia caribaea also said to be Heliconia bihai (above).
Heliconia chartacea ______ CR (TPCR:405)
"Sexy Pink"
Heliconia clinophila ______ CR PN (TPCR:397) occurs in Costa Rica and Panama
Heliconia collinsiana ______ occurs from southern Mexico to Nicaragua

Heliconia collinsiana also said to be Heliconia pendula (below).
Heliconia curtispatha ______ occurs from Panama to Ecuador

Heliconia curtispatha is very closely related to Heliconia longa (below).
Heliconia hirsuta ______ occurs in Venezuela
Heliconia imbricata ______ CR (TPCR:398) occurs from Costa Rica to Colombia
Heliconia lankesteri (*) ______ CR (TPCR:399) occurs in Costa Rica and Panama
Two varieties: var. lankesteri, with yellow bracts, and var. rubra, with red bracts
Hybrids occur wherever they meet.

In Costa Rica, the red variety of Heliconia lankesteri is in the Central Mountains and on the Caribbean slope of the Talamanca mountains.
The yellow variety is mostly on the Pacific slope of the Talamanca mountains, from 3,900 to more than 6,000 feet above sea level.
Heliconia lankesteri reaches the highest elevation of any heliconia in Costa Rica.
Heliconia latispatha (*) ______ CR (TPCR:395) occurs from southern Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela
Golden Heliconia (or Wild Plantain)
S: Platanillo

Heliconia latispatha is probably the common heliconia in Costa Rica, and it is often seen along roadsides.
Heliconia longa ______ CR (TPCR:401) occurs from southern Nicaragua to Ecuador
Heliconia mariae ______ occurs from Honduras to northern South America
Beefsteak Heliconia
Heliconia monteverdensis ______ CR (TPCR:402) endemic to Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, Heliconia monteverdensis occurs in the Tilaran and Guanacaste mountain ranges, from 4,500 to 5,100 feet above sea level.
Heliconia pendula ______ occurs from Guatemala to Peru
Hanging Heliconia
Heliconia pogonantha (var. pogonantha) ______ CR (TPCR:402) occurs from Nicaragua to northern South America
Heliconia psittacorum ______ CR (TPCR:404) occurs in Brazil and the Guianas. In Costa Rica, cultivated.
Parrot's Plantain (or Parakeet Flower) (an herbaceous plant)
Heliconia rostrata ______ CR (TPCR:405) occurs in South America, in Argentina, Brazil and Peru, also in Central America on the Caribbean side from Belize to Panama
Crab's Claws (an herbaceous plant)

Other names for Heliconia rostrata include Lobster Claw, Beaked Heliconia, Hanging Heliconia.
Heliconia schiedeana ______ occurs in southern Mexico
Heliconia tricolor ______ occurs in Peru, in the upper Amazon basin
Chacahuessi (a local name)
Heliconia wagneriana (*) ______ CR (TPCR:403) occurs from Belize and Guatemala to northern Colombia
Pink-and-green Heliconia

Heliconia wagneriana is also said to be Heliconia elongata.

Heliconia wagneriana is a terrestrial plant with aquatic flowers. A giant herb, it is one of the most beautiful of the wild plantains.
It lives in abandoned clearings and along the banks of rivers and lagoons in the wet Caribbean lowlands of Central America.
The blades of its great, gracefully arching, light green leaves attain ten feet in length by one in breadth. In the midst of them, at the top of the short false stem formed by their overlapping bases, there stands the flattened, upright inflorescence.
Its thick, fleshy bracts are strongly folded, and each of their exposed faces is highly colored, with a light red center that pales outwardly to orange, which is narrowly bordered in green.
These cupped bracts retain the rain that falls into them and are nearly always well filled, forming little pools in which the flower buds develop.
The mature flower is a slender watertight tube about 2 and a half inches long.
During the night before anthesis, it stretches up until its green tip is above the water, while the white lower part remains submerged.

The fruits, like the flowers of Heliconia wagneriana, develop under the water, which is fouled by the decaying floral parts and soon swarms with small aquatic life, including larvae of drone flies and mosquitoes.
As it matures, the white berry develops a lavender tint, which deepens to a rich cobalt blue as it is pushed upward into the air by the rapid stretching of the thick perdicel that supports it.
The glossy blue berries, each containing 3 hard rough seeds, are sought by a number of birds, including Purple Gallinules.
Not content to wait until the ripe berries are exposed for them by the elongation of their stalks, the gallinules tear apart the thick, fleshy bracts to reach those that are still submerged.
What a lovely sight a Purple Gallinule makes, as with its long yellow toes it grasps the gaily colored bracts and tears them with its red bill, while exposing the white feathers beneath its short, uplifted tail.

The above narrative is from the book, "A Naturalist in Costa Rica" by Alexander Skutch, published in 1971.


A Purple Gallinule photographed during a FONT tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Heliconia wagneriana is pollinated by the hummingbirds known as hermits.

Genus MUSA

In Central America, plants in MUSA, including the Banana and Plantain, are favored food for the hummingbird, the Violet Sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus.
Musa x sapientum (*) (ph) ______ CR MX(YU) (TPCR:182,184 Musa acuminata, TPCR:183 Musa velutina)
Banana (a giant-rosette plant)
S: Platano

Wild Bananas originally grew in southeast Asia.

The taxonomy of the Banana is involved. Here, sapientum relates to the "desert banana", that is the uncooked food eaten for breakfast, etc.
The "x" prior to it indicates that it came from hybridization.
"x paradisiaca" is used here (below) for the closely-related Plantain, which has to be cooked to be enjoyed.
"x sapientum" is a hybrid from two "wild bananas" of southeast Asia: Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana.
Among the many forms of bananas that now exist are Cavendish Bananas, Dwarf Bananas known as Lady Fingers, and the Jamaican Red Banana which has a pinkish peel.

In Costa Rica and other places, the Cavendish Banana, or Chinese Banana, Musa x cavendishii, is a host plant for the butterfly Opsiphanes bogotanus, the Bogota Owl Butterfly.


An interesting book about the banana is "The Fish that Ate the Whale, the Life and Times of America's Banana King" by Rich Cohen, 2012.
It tells about the banana, over the years, in business and history, and how it came to be as we know it now.
About the banana itself, here's an excerpt from the book:

Some facts about the banana:

It is not a tree. It's an herb, the world's tallest grass. Reaching, in perfect conditions, 30 feet, it's the largest plant in the world without a woody trunk.
Its stem actually consists of banana leaves, big, thick, elephant ears, coiled like a roll of dollar bills.
As the plant grows, the stem uncoils, revealing new leaves, tender at first, rough at last.
The fruit appears at the end of a cycle, growing from a stem that bends toward the ground under its own weight.
Because the plant is an herb, not a tree, the banana is properly classed as a berry.
The plant grows from a rhizome, which, in the way of a potato, has no roots.
It's outrageously top-heavy and can be felled, as entire fields sometimes are, by a strong wind.

While the plant can be grown all over the world, it will, with two exceptions, bear fruit only in the tropics.
Iceland and Israel are the exceptions. Iceland because it grows on the slopes of a volcano; Israel for reasons that remain mysterious.
Various attempts to farm bananas commercially in the continental United States have failed.
The "tree" bears a red flower, a delicate, bloody thing, a few days before it fruits.

The banana's great strength as a crop is also its weakness: it does not grow from a seed, but from a cutting.
When the rhizome is chopped into pieces and planted, each piece produces a "tree". (Even though the plant is not technically a tree, I keep calling it that.)
In fact, the banana does not have a seed - I mean, yes, there is a stone at the bottom of the fruit, but try to plant it and watch what happens. Nothing. Time and evolution have rendered that stone useless.
This means savings in seed and in the shipping of seed and so on, but it also means each fruit - I keep calling it a fruit too because I funny calling it a berry - is a clone, a replica of all the others of its species.
Which means nice corporate uniformity but also poses a terrific danger - if a parasite or a disease mutates to kill one banana, it will eventually kill all members of that species."

In the 1960s, "Panama Disease" attacked large numbers of banana plantations, and new disease-resistant strains had to be developed.

Banana, not a tree, photographed during
the FONT tour in southern Ecuador in April 2014.
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Musa x paradisiaca (*) ______ CR MX(YU) (now, like the banana, grown throughout the American tropics)
Plantain

Plantain is the name given to a green form of the banana. Plantains do not ripen the same way as their cousins, the sweet bananas, and they are always less sweet.
The individual fruits of the plantain are often bigger than a banana, and usually more horn-shaped.
Plantains are one of the most prolific of all carbohydrate producing crops. It has been calculated that an area of ground capable of producing 50 pounds of wheat or 100 pounds of potatoes could carry as much as 4,000 pounds of plantains.

Although plantains are less sweet than bananas, they are far more versatile in their use. They are often boiled and served with meat as part of a main course, but because their tissue has a starchier taste than that of bananas, plantains are best cooked with some spices, onions and pepper, or mixed in a casserole.
Plantains are often cut into slices and fried in a pan of deep fat producing tasty crisps.

Chopped beef and plantains are the main ingredients of a well-known Puerto Rican dish called Piononos.
In that dish, the plantains are cut wafer thin and then fried and wrapped around a mixture of cheese and finely chopped meat.

That Puerto Rican meal called Piononos has been enjoyed during FONT tours at the Hacienda Juanita, a nice place with good birding, and good food, in picturesque hills in the western part of the island, in an area renowned for fine coffee production.

Family MYRICACEAE (Wax-Myrtle)

Genus MYRICA
Myrica cerifera ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Bayberry (name in CY)
Myrica phanerodonta ______ CR
Myrica pubescens ______ CR

Family MYRISTICACEAE (Nutmeg)

Genus COMPSONEURA
Compsoneura sprucei ______ CR

Genus DIALYANTHERA
Dialyanthera otoba ______ CR

Genus IRYANTHERA
Iryanthera sp. ______ CR

Genus MYRISTICA
Myristica fragans ______ (native to the Moluccas, or the Spice Islands of Indonesia)
Nutmeg

Genus VIROLA
Virola guatamalensis ______ CR
Virola koschnyi ______ CR (TPCR:244) occurs in Central America and northern South America
Wild Nutmeg
S: Fruta Dorada
Virola sebifera ______ BR CR occurs from Costa Rica to Brazil
Red Ucuuba
P: Ucuuba do Cerrado

Family MYRSINACEAE (Myrsine)

Genus ARDISIA
Ardisia auriculata ______ CR
Ardisia compressa ______ CR
Ardisia cutteri ______ CR
Ardisia dodgei ______ CR
Ardisia glanduloso-marginata ______ CR
Ardisia granatensis ______ CR
Ardisia nigropunctata ______ CR
Ardisia palmana ______ CR
Ardisia pitteri ______ CR
Ardisia revoluta ______ CR

Genus MYRSINE
Myrsine acrantha ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus PARATHESIS
Parathesis adenanthera ______ CR
Parathesis chrysophylla ______ CR
Parathesis glabra ______ CR

Genus RAPANEA
Rapanea ferruginea ______ CR
Rapanea juergensenii ______ CR

Genus WEIGELTIA
Weigeltia spectabilis ______ CR

Family MYRTACEAE (Myrtles)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 145 described species in MYRTACEAE.

Genus ACCA
Acca sellowiana ______ (native to South America)
Pineapple Guava (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
S: Guayabo del Brasil

Genus CALLISTEMON
Callistemon viminallis (formerly Melaleuca viminallis) ______ BR CR (TPCR:144) originally from the east coast of Australia
Weeping Bottlebush

Callistemon viminalis is especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds, and migrating Tennessee Warblers.

Genus CALYPTRANTHES
Calyptranthes pallens ______ CR CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)

Genus EUGENIA
Eugenia axillaris ______ CY
Strawberry (name in CY)
Eugenia biflora ______ CY
Eugenia chacueyana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, along the banks of the Chacuey River in Dajabon)
Eugenia foetida ______ CY
Eugenia salamensis ______ CR

Genus MYRCIA
Myrcia carnea ______ CR
Myrcia splendens ______ CR

Genus MYRCIANTHES
Myrcianthes fragrans ______ CR CY (endangered in CY)
Cherry (name in CY)

Genus PIMENTA
Pimenta dioica ______ MX(YU)
Allspice
S: Pimienta Gorda, or Pimienta de Tabasco, Pimienta Dulce

Allspice is the only common pantry spice native to the New World. The natural zone of the tree that produces the berry is from the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico to the Antilles, where it grows to great heights in the wild.
(from the book: "Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling)
Pimenta haitiensis ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, between Oviedo and Pedernales)
S: Canelilla de Oviedo

Genus PSIDIUM
Psidium guajava (*) (ph) _____ CR EC MX(YU) (TPCR:185,186)   native to tropical America, now widespread
Guava (a bush with simple, opposite leaves)
P: Goiaba
S: Guayabo, or Guayaba

Names for Psidium guajava also include: Yellow Guava, Apple Guava.

In the tropics, Guava is available much of the year. When it ripens on the tree, the air is filled with the smell of the fruit, as it falls to the ground, where it ferments, emanating an exotic smell, reminding one that he or she is in the tropics.
Such was the smell where the photo below was taken, at Copalinga, during one of our tours in southern Ecuador.
That rotting fruit, yes, the source of the exotic smell, attracts many butterflies, some bright and colorful, and again making one appreciate one's time in a tropical setting.

Psidium guajava is native to southern Mexico and Central and South America, where is also now widely cultivated.
In South America, now, it is very common, for example in Brazil, where on the tables at many meals it is in various forms, from jellies to juices. The hard-textured jellies are often served with cheese.

The fruit itself has a variety of forms, sizes, and colors, but most commonly it is spherical, about 1 and a half to 2 and a quarter inches in diameter, with a green to yellowish skin and pulp.
Other varieties have rose-colored or white flesh. (The rose coloration is the common variety in Brazil.)
The skin is very thin, and the inside of the fruit is characterized by a somewhat sandy flesh, like that of a pear, and with a cluster of seeds.

Guavas are consumed fresh when fully ripened, or turned into preserves and sorbet, or into refreshing drinks.

Fresh Guava is a good source of vitamin c and also contains vitamin A, iron, calcium, and phosphorous.

In the Yucatan region of Mexico, Guayabo is the prime ingredient of an exotically flavored local ice cream called Helado de Crema Morisca.

In the city of Manaus in Amazonian Brazil, there are wonderful places where a large variety of tropically flavored ice creams are sold, including among those flavors, Guava.

(some of the above from the book: "Yucatan, Recipes from a Culinary Expedition" by David Sterling)

On the tree, a fruit of the Guava, during the
April 2014 FONT tour in southern Ecuador at Copalinga
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus SYZYGIUM
Syzygium malaccense ______ CR (TPCR:186,187) originally on the Malay Peninsula
Malay Apple
S: Manzana de Agua

In Costa Rica, Malay Apple is one of several popular fruits sold in bags along the Pan-American Highway.

Family NYCTAGINACEAE (Four O'Clocks)

Genus BOERHAVIA
Boerhavia coccinea ______ CY
Chick Weed (name in CY)
Boerhavia erecta ______ CY
Broom Weed (name in CY)

Genus BOUGAINVILLEA
Bougainvillea spectabilis ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Bougainvillea (a climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
Bougainvillea sp. ______ CR (TPCR:145,146)

Genus GUAPIRA
Guapira discolor ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Cabbage Tree (name in CY)

Genus MIRABILIS
Mirabilis jalapa ______ (native to Mexico and the southwest US)
Four O' Clock (herbaceous plant)
S: Buenas Tardes

Genus NEEA
Neea amplifolia ______ CR
Neea laetevirens ______ CR

Neea laetevirens is a host plant for caterpillars of the butterfly Emesis aurimna, the White-spotted Emesis or White-spotted Tanmark. They eat the foliage of the plant.

Genus PISONIA
Pisonia aculeata ______ CR CY (endangered in CY)
Pisonia macranthocarpa ______ CR
Pisonia margaretae ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)

Genus TORRUBIA
Torrubia costaricana ______ CR

Family NYMPHAEACEAE (Water Lilies)

In the genus Nymphaea (photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus NYMPHAEA
Nymphaea ampla ______ CY
Water Lily

Genus VICTORIA
Victoria amazonica (*) ______ BR
Amazon Water Lily

The Amazon Water Lily, Victoria amazonica, is the largest of all the NYMPHAEACEAE water lilies.
Floating on the water's surface, they are up to 9 feet in diameter.
Their flowers are white the first night they are opened, and become pink the next night.

During FONT Brazil Tours, in Amazonia near Manaus, we've seen the very big Amazon Water Lilies, as we've been on boats, from which we've also seen Pink River Dolphins, Gray Dolphins (the "Tucuxi"), Amazonian Manatee, and many birds, including Agami Heron and Harpy Eagle.
Victoria cruziana (*) ______ (native to Paraguay, southern Brazil, northern Argentina)
Santa Cruz Water Lily

We've seen the Santa Cruz Water Lily on rivers during FONT tours in the area of Iguazu Falls.

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