Guanacaste Tree: Common Names, Where to Find It, and Uses

The Guanacaste tree is given many different names depending on the region.

There are many vegetables that we can take advantage of to make food, infusions, medicine, fuel, furniture, etc. The Guanacaste tree, for example, It does all of this and more. You may know it by another name, as there are many ways to refer to it.

To get you out of doubt, we are going to comment what are the names that this curious tree receives, where can it be found and what are its multiple uses. So if you want to learn more about the Guanacaste tree, I recommend that you keep reading.

Contents

What is the name of the Guanacaste tree?

The scientific name of the Guanacaste tree is Enterolobium cyclocarpum

When we talk about the Guanacaste tree, we refer to a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is a plant native to America, more precisely to warm and tropical regions. It should also be noted that since August 31, 1959, it has been the national tree of Costa Rica, where it also represents the symbol of Guanacaste, a province of this region.

However, the common name “Guanacaste tree” receives it for another reason. It is a denomination whose origins are in the Nahuatl language. Word wow means “tree”, while the term nacastl means “ear”. This name refers to the particular shape of the fruit of this vegetable, which looks a bit like a human ear.

As for the scientific name of this plant, it is ANDCyclocarp interolobium. It was Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, a German botanist, who first described the genus name of this tree: ANDInterolobium. As usual, it is not very common to use the scientific name to refer to plants or animals. Especially in the case of vegetables, many are given other common names in different parts of the world. Thus, the Guanacaste tree is also known by the following names:

  • Guanacaste (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica)
  • Pich (Yucatan)
  • Corotu (Panama)
  • Jarina (Costa Rica)
  • Curu (Costa Rica)
  • Ear Guanacaste (Nicaragua)
  • Tuburus (Nicaragua)
  • Black Guanacaste (Nicaragua, Honduras)
  • Fosse (Guatemala)
  • Conacaste (El Salvador, Guatemala)
  • Tubroos (Belize)
  • Caracas, Venezuela)
  • Caracara (Colombia)
  • Ear pinion (Colombia)

With curiosity, the country with the most names for this tree is Mexico. Depending on the region it is known in one way or another: Agucastle, ahuacashle, bisayaga, cuanacaztle, nacashe, nacaste, nacastillo, nacastle, nacaztle, cascabel, cascabel sonajac, cuanacaztli, cuaunacaztli, Juana Costa (trade name in Mexico ), nacaxtle, orejón, pich, piche, cuytástsuic, guanacaste, huanacaxtle, huienacaztle, huinacaxtle, huinecaxtli, lashmatz-zi, ma-ta-cua-tze, mo-cua-dzi, mo-ñi-no, shma-dzi, nacascuahuitl, parota, tutaján, ya-chibe and tiyuhu.

As far as Spain is concerned, here we know the ANDCyclocarp interolobium What Guanacaste, but also as dear conacaste or female black.

Where is the Guanacaste tree located?

The Guanacaste tree is native to tropical regions of America

As we have already mentioned above, The Guanacaste tree is native to tropical regions of America. It can be found from southern and western Mexico, through Central America and extending to northern South America, which includes Brazil and Venezuela. The other regions where it lives are Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad, apart from those where it has been introduced by humans.

Group of Anthurium in bloom

Related article:

What are tropical plants and how are they cared for?

Generally, the Guanacaste tree it grows and develops along streams and rivers, in coastal areas. The ideal habitat for this plant is at low altitudes, usually no more than 500 meters. As for the terroir, it develops remarkably better in sandy, black and clayey-sandy soils. However, today we can find this tree in many other regions, including Spain. Its cultivation is not unusual, as it has many uses which we will discuss below.

Apps

We just mentioned it The Guanacaste tree has a wide variety of uses. The flower, for example, is highly valued in beekeeping and the bark, seeds and fruit can be used to tan leather. Additionally, this vegetable can be used to create adhesives and gummies. It should also be noted that the pulp obtained from the green pods is used in some places as a substitute for laundry soap, as it produces saponins. But this vegetable is useful in many other ways, let’s see what they are:

  • Wood: The wood of the Guanacaste tree is highly valued in the world of crafts and construction, as it is very easy to work with and durable. With it you can make turned items, toys, kitchen utensils, interior finishes, furniture, staves, light boats, canoes, wheels, signs, carts, etc. It must be said that some people may be allergic to the dust it gives off. The wood can also be used in rural construction and in agricultural tools.
  • Edible: The seed is edible. Indeed, its amino acid composition is quite similar to that of certain flours. They can be eaten roasted and are very high in protein. In addition, they contain calcium, iron, phosphorus and ascorbic acid. In some places the seeds are prepared in soups and sauces, and even as a coffee substitute. Especially on the Atlantic coast belonging to Colombia, sweets are made, especially at Easter.
  • Forager: The seeds are not only edible for us, but also for animals. These may also consume the fruits, young stems, and leaves of the Guanacaste tree. They are generally used as a food supplement and fodder for equine, goat, pig and bovine livestock.
  • Gas: With the already ripe fruits of this vegetable, it is possible to make coal agglomerates. In addition, the firewood obtained from this tree is widely used both in homes and in rural industries. In fact, it is one of the most recommended species as a source of energy. This is not surprising, since its firewood has a calorific value no more and no less than 18,556 kj/kg.
  • Medicinal: The green fruits of the Guanacaste tree are astringent and are used to treat diarrhea. The trunk of the same exudes a type of gum, called “gum major”. It is used to treat colds and bronchitis. The bark is used in pods or in infusions to treat skin rashes.

As you can see, the Guanacaste tree is a very curious vegetable with multiple beneficial uses for us. I hope this information has been as interesting for you as it has been for me!

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