Author: canopytower

Gumbo Limbo Tree Bursera simaruba Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Gumbo Limbo tree is one of the most recognizable trees of the American tropics—often called the “tourist tree” because of its characteristic peeling red bark, reminiscent of a sunburnt tourist! This medium-sized tree grows to 30 meters tall and has a diameter of 1 meter or less. The leaves are pinnate with 7-11 leaflets and are arranged in spirals. The fruits are small, 3-valved capsules which encase one small seed covered in a red fatty seed coat (aril). The Gumbo Limbo is an important food source for many resident and migrant species of birds, as well as monkeys and squirrels, who feed on the aril. Gumbo Limbo is a very useful tree; its wood is suitable for light construction and firewood, and the resin is used as glue, varnish and incense. Anti-inflammatory properties in its leaves, bark and resin can be used to treat a variety of aches and pains. The resin is used as a treatment for gout. The bark is used as a common topical remedy for a variety of skin conditions including sores, measles, sunburn and insect bites, and a decoction can be taken internally to cure pain, cold and flu, fever and sunstroke. Furthermore, this tree is considered one of the most wind-resistant species and can act as a good wind barrier to protect crops and roads, and is commonly planted in hurricane zones. Gumbo Limbo trees grow in a wide variety of habitats from south Florida through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, to Brazil and Venezuela, and is common in the lowlands of central Panama around the Canopy Family lodges. Cool Fact!  The wood of the Gumbo Limbo tree was the traditional wood used to make carousel horses in the United States before plastic became

Bijao Calathea latifolia Photo by Jenn Sinasac Locally known as “bijao,” Calathea latifolia is a distinct roadside plant of central Panama. Standing 1-2 meters tall, the Bijao plant is recognized by its large, thin, pleated heliconia-like leaves and purple inflorescences. It has flowers in pairs with as many as 13 pairs tended by a single bract. Seed capsules are approximately 1 cm long and contain 3 small seeds. The roots have large, edible tuber-like storage organs. Light purple bands on the underside of the leaf blade best distinguish this species. There is a cream-colored flower form, and this lacks the purple bands on the leaves. Calathea latifolia flowers throughout the green season from July to December. Flower buds do not open until forced open by bees responsible for their pollination. They are pollinated by orchid bee Euglossa imperialis on Barro Colorado Island (Panama) and 2 other bee species elsewhere (from the genus Eulaema). Some bees are nectar robbers and do not pollinate the flowers. Fruits develop to mature size in about 2 months and are usually present in the same inflorescence throughout most of the flowering season. During the dry season, the Bijao plant dies back to the roots. Seeds are shed but do not germinate until the beginning of the following rainy season, an adaptation to dealing with the dry season conditions. Calathea latifolia is found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad. In Panama, it occurs in central and eastern lowlands and premontane moist forest. The Bijao plant is common around the Canopy Tower, near Pipeline Road and along open roadsides. Hailing from the widespread Marantaceae family, the genus Calathea has approximately 250 species and is the main genus of the family in the Neotropics. Many Calathea species are popular as potted plants; attributable to their decorative leaves and

Aechmea setigera Photo by Jerry and Linda Harrison Aechmea setigera is a large bromeliad native to tropical America. Like many bromeliads, it is epiphytic and usually found high in trees. It grows to 1.5 m tall, with leaves up to a meter long and 3.5 to 7 cm wide with black spines along the edges. Bright red bracts up to 20 cm long surround the base of the inflorescence stalk, which is covered with many flowers and often more than a meter in length. Spikes have 2 to 4 fertile flowers. Petals are pale yellow or greenish-yellow, and up to 3.5 cm long. The flowers produce a lot of nectar, which accumulates in the flower tube. Fruits are fleshy berries containing 8 seeds, reddish in color. In Panama, Aechmea setigera flowers from February to May, and fruits during the rainy season. This bromeliad attracts a wide variety of creatures – ants live at the base of the leaves, and fruits are dispersed by birds, despite that the fruits are not overly colorful or well-exposed when mature. Aechmea setigera is fround in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and in Amazonia Brazil. In Panama, it is common at Pipeline Road and throughout the lowlands and foothills, and is most abundant in the wettest areas along Panama’s Caribbean coast. It can be seen around all the Canopy Family properties.

Achiote Bixa orellana Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison   Achiote is a distinctive shrub or small tree in the family Bixaceae. The tree grows 6-10 meters tall and is identifiable by its bright white to pink flowers which form in clusters of five at the ends of branches, as well as by its fruits, clusters of red-brown seed pods covered in soft spines. Each pod contains many seeds covered in a waxy red aril layer. Dry pods split open when mature, exposing the seeds (see photo below). Achiote is familiar in the Neotropics as the source of "annatto," a condiment and red food coloring that is widely used in the cuisine of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Annatto is made from the aril of the seeds, which contains carotenoid pigments such as red bixin and yellow norbixin. As a seasoning, annatto can be used to substitute for paprika and saffron. Achiote paste or sazón is a product consisting of the ground seed mixed with other spices. Achiote is now cultivated in many other countries with tropical or subtropical climates. Achiote also has many traditional uses as a dye, from red body paint to hair dye, from which comes one of its common names, the “lipstick tree." In Panama, the Emberá use Achiote seeds to dye Chunga palm fronds for weaving baskets, producing a vibrant red color. Open dry pods exposing red seeds, photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison.

Firebush Hamelia patens Photo by Jenn Sinasac This large shrub or small tree of the coffee family (Rubiaceae) stands out in the crowd—its bright red-orange tubular flowers give it many appropriate common names including Scarletbush, Hummingbird Bush, Redhead, and in Panama, Uvero, Canelito and Zorrillo Real. The flowers of the Firebush plant vary in length, and attract a wide variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. The flowers give way to small, dark red fruits which turn black as they mature. Tanagers and other birds feed on the juicy fruits. Leaves arranged in whorls are 6 inches in length, oval, pointed and green-gray in color with pinkish veins; stems and leaf stalks are red. The Firebush plant has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and can be used to relieve and treat a variety of ailments including skin rashes, sores and insect stings as well as fever and headache. This sun-loving plant occurs in tropical clearings or in partial shade, among tropical moist forest and premontane forest where there are well-drained soils. Hamelia patens is a common plant around our lodges; watch for hummingbird and butterfly activity at the Firebush in our gardens. Photo by Jenn Sinasac