Enterolobium cyclocarpum

"Earpod tree", "Elephant ear tree", and "Parota" redirect here. For the Pacara one, see Pacara earpod tree. For the wattle, see Earpod wattle. For the Asian tree, see Macaranga gigantea. For other uses, see Parota (disambiguation).

Enterolobium cyclocarpum
Specimen in El Canchol, Guanacaste (Costa Rica)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Enterolobium
Species:
E. cyclocarpum
Binomial name
Enterolobium cyclocarpum
Synonyms

Several, see text

Elephant-ear shape seedpods

Enterolobium cyclocarpum, commonly known as conacaste, guanacaste, caro caro, devil's ear tree, monkey-ear tree, or elephant-ear tree, is a species of flowering tree in the family Fabaceae, that is native to tropical regions of the Americas, from central Mexico south to northern Brazil (Roraima) and Venezuela.[2] It is known for its large proportions, expansive, often spherical crown, and curiously shaped seedpods. The abundance of this tree, especially in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, where it is prized for the shady relief it provides from the intense sun, coupled with its immensity, have made it a widely recognized species. It is the national tree of Costa Rica.

In North America, it is often called elephant-ear tree, due to the shape of the seedpods. Other common names include devil's ear and earpod tree, parota, and orejón (Spanish) or'huanacaxtle (Nahuatl). In El Salvador, it is known as conacaste.[3] In the Yucatán peninsula, it is known by the Mayan name, pich. In Panama, it is known as a corotú.

  1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Enterolobium cyclocarpum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T62025161A149017370. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  2. ^ USDA (1994), Niembro Rocas (2002)
  3. ^ Witsberger et al. (1982)