Panama Tree

Declared Panama's National Tree in 1969, this majestic deciduous tree can reach heights of 50 meters. Its name may be the etymological origin of the word Panama.

Sterculia apetala, known as the Panama tree or camoruco, is an imposing species in the Malvaceae family. Its straight, cylindrical trunk can exceed two meters in diameter, with large buttresses at the base. Its flowers are yellow with red or brown stripes, blooming variably—sometimes every two years, or up to twice a year depending on location. Its fruits are large woody follicles containing edible oil-rich seeds, prized by local wildlife and also consumed by indigenous communities. It is distributed from Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela.

Habitat

Tropical wet and dry forests, from sea level to 800 meters