Guanacaste

Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) also known as elephant-ear tree or devil's ear is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to tropical regions of the Americas. It is the national tree of Costa Rica.

Common names in some other languages are:
 , árbol de las orejas, parota
 , oreille d'éléphant


Enterolobium cyclocarpum, the scientific name of the guanacaste tree was given by August Grisebach to this plant in 1864.

 Synonyms 
 Albizia longipes Britton & Killip
 Enterolobium cyclocarpa (Jacq.) Griseb.
 Feuilleea cyclocarpa (Jacq.) Kuntze
 Inga cyclocarpa' (Jacq.) Willd.
 Mimosa cyclocarpa Jacq.
 Mimosa parota Sesse & Moc.
 Pithecellobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Mart.
 Prosopis dubia Kunth
 Prosopis dubia'' Guill. & Perr.

Description
The guanacaste is a large tree, growing to  tall, with a trunk up to  in diameter. The bark is light gray. The crown (the upper part of tree) is broad and widely spreading. Leaves are  long, alternate and compound.

The guanacaste is evergreen, or briefly deciduous for 1–2 months during the dry season (without rains). Most leaves fall in December, at the start of the dry season. In late February, leaves start to appear and produce a fresh, thick crown by April.

Flowers are hermaphrodite; the pollination is by insects like bees.

The fruit is a legume (also known as a pod) with the shape of a human ear.

Where it grows
The guanacaste tree is native to tropical America. It grows from southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America. It is found also in the West Indies. It has been introduced in other tropical regions.

It grows normally at an elevation from sea level to , usually along the coast and rivers.

Uses
The wood is reddish-brown, lightweight and water-resistant; it is used to make objects like doors, windows, furniture, cabinets, and for shipbuilding. It is used also as firewood.

Gallery

 References 

Other websites

 Enterolobium cyclocarpum in Encyclopedia of Life


Category:Mimosoideae
Category:Trees
Category:National symbols of Costa Rica