The national tree of Costa Rica proudly stands as the Guanacaste, often referred to as the Elephant Ear Tree, with its scientific name being “Enterolobium cyclocarpum.” It finds its place within the leguminous family. The name “Guanacaste” traces its origins to the Nahuatl language, combining “guautil,” meaning tree, and “nacaztli,” meaning ear, a nod to the distinctive shape of the tree’s fruit or seedpods.
This remarkable tree, impossible to miss, is renowned not only for its sheer size but also for its spherical crown. Abundant throughout Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Tree provides shelter to animals seeking respite from the intense Guanacaste sun.
The Guanacaste Tree earned its status as the national tree of Costa Rica on August 31, 1959, and it’s a sight to behold in person. Its seeds bear a rich brown hue, often adorned with a light brown or orange ring. In Costa Rica, these seeds are prized for jewelry making due to their striking appearance. The green seeds can even be boiled and consumed. Additionally, locals harness the leaves, sap, and bark for traditional folk remedies.
Highly valued for its wood, Guanacaste wood is utilized in various woodworking projects. It displays a reddish-brown hue, is lightweight, and exhibits water-resistant properties, making it ideal for crafting doors, windows, furniture, and even boats. However, harvesting this wood requires permits, as the Guanacaste tree enjoys protected status in Costa Rica, even after it has passed.
Notably, the tree’s seed pods bear an uncanny resemblance to ears, inspiring its common name. Its crown forms a vibrant green dome that often exceeds the tree’s height. Typically, these trees stand between 82 to 164 feet tall, with trunk diameters ranging from 6 to 7 feet. The bark showcases a reddish-brown hue, adding to its visual allure.
Guanacaste trees thrive along the Northern Pacific Coast, particularly in the low-elevation, tropical habitat of Guanacaste, from which it derives its name. These majestic trees can endure for up to 70 years, bearing fruit from January to May (coinciding with the high season) and adorning themselves with white blossoms from November to March. These flowers boast a round, white appearance, while the ripe fruits adopt a dark brown, hard, and glossy texture.
Apart from its natural beauty, Costa Rica’s national tree holds cultural significance. The seeds of the Guanacaste tree are versatile, with attractive ones being crafted into stunning jewelry pieces, a testament to local creativity. The green seeds are edible after boiling, but they should be handled with care since they can grow rapidly and develop strong roots, potentially becoming invasive.
Costa Ricans have long utilized Guanacaste seeds for laundry, thanks to their cleansing properties, often adding crushed and fermented trunk bark to the process. However, it’s the wood from the Guanacaste tree that stands as a favorite material. Lightweight and water-resistant, it lends itself well to crafting furniture, doors, window frames, cart wheels, crosses, ships, and cabinets.
Moreover, the plant, sap, and bark of Costa Rica’s national tree hold medicinal value. Locals have used them to treat ailments like colds and lung infections. In some cases, the bark extract can even substitute for soap.
June 15th marks National Tree Day in Costa Rica, a decree dating back to May 25, 1915, initiated by Alfredo Gonzalez to raise awareness about the fragility of wooded areas. Authorities encourage tree planting to combat global warming, as trees absorb and retain water, release oxygen, and capture carbon dioxide.
The Guanacaste tree is not just a national symbol but a living treasure deeply intertwined with Costa Rican culture and sustainability efforts.
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