🌳 Botanical Family Guide
Costa Rica Tree Atlas
43 families • 107 species
Anacardiaceae
7 spp.Cashew family - resinous, drupes, some allergenic
Representative species
- EspavelAnacardium excelsum
- JoboSpondias mombin
- JocoteSpondias purpurea
- MangoMangifera indica
- MarañónAnacardium occidentale
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Annonaceae
2 spp.Representative species
- AnonaAnnona reticulata
- GuanábanaAnnona muricata
Arecaceae
4 spp.Palm family - unbranched stems, large compound leaves
Representative species
- CocoCocos nucifera
- CoyolAcrocomia aculeata
- Palmera RealRoystonea regia
- PejibayeBactris gasipaes
Asparagaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Caña IndiaDracaena fragrans
Bignoniaceae
5 spp.Trumpet vine family - showy flowers, often opposite leaves
Representative species
- Cortez NegroTabebuia impetiginosa
- Corteza AmarillaHandroanthus ochraceus
- JacarandaJacaranda mimosifolia
- JícaroCrescentia alata
- Roble de SabanaTabebuia rosea
Boraginaceae
3 spp.Borage family - rough hairy leaves, coiled flower clusters
Representative species
- LaurelCordia alliodora
- Laurel NegroCordia megalantha
- MuñecoCordia collococca
Burseraceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Indio DesnudoBursera simaruba
Cactaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- PitahayaHylocereus costaricensis
Calophyllaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Cedro MaríaCalophyllum brasiliense
Chrysobalanaceae
2 spp.Cocoplum family - often buttressed, drupes
Representative species
- AlcornoqueLicania arborea
- IcacoChrysobalanus icaco
Clusiaceae
2 spp.Representative species
- CerilloSymphonia globulifera
- CopeyClusia rosea
Combretaceae
2 spp.Representative species
- AmarillónTerminalia amazonia
- SuráTerminalia oblonga
Costaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Caña AgriaCostus spicatus
Cupressaceae
1 sp.Cypress family - scale-like leaves, woody cones
Representative species
- CiprésCupressus lusitanica
Euphorbiaceae
3 spp.Spurge family - milky latex, varied fruit types
Representative species
- JavilloHura crepitans
- TarguáCroton draco
- YosSapium glandulosum
Fabaceae
20 spp.Legume family - nitrogen-fixing, compound leaves, pod fruits
Representative species
- AlmendroDipteryx panamensis
- Caña FístulaCassia fistula
- CaraoCassia grandis
- CarboncilloAcacia pennatula
- CativoPrioria copaifera
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Fagaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Roble Encino (Highland Oak)Quercus spp.
Lamiaceae
2 spp.Representative species
- GmelinaGmelina arborea
- TeakTectona grandis
Lauraceae
2 spp.Laurel family - aromatic, simple alternate leaves
Representative species
- AguacatePersea americana
- AguacatilloPersea caerulea
Lecythidaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Olla de MonoLecythis ampla
Malpighiaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- NanceByrsonima crassifolia
Malvaceae
6 spp.Mallow family - often mucilaginous, 5-petaled flowers
Representative species
- BalsaOchroma pyramidale
- CacaoTheobroma cacao
- CeibaCeiba pentandra
- GuácimoGuazuma ulmifolia
- PanamáSterculia apetala
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Meliaceae
3 spp.Mahogany family - pinnate leaves, valuable timber
Representative species
- CaobaSwietenia macrophylla
- CaobillaCarapa guianensis
- Cedro AmargoCedrela odorata
Moraceae
6 spp.Fig family - milky latex, multiple fruits
Representative species
- Fruta de PanArtocarpus altilis
- HiguerónFicus insipida
- LechosoBrosimum utile
- MatapaloFicus spp.
- MoraMaclura tinctoria
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Muntingiaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- CapulínMuntingia calabura
Myristicaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Fruta DoradaVirola koschnyi
Myrtaceae
4 spp.Myrtle family - aromatic, opposite leaves with oil glands
Representative species
- CasPsidium friedrichsthalianum
- GuayaboPsidium guajava
- Manzana de AguaSyzygium malaccense
- PomarrosaSyzygium jambos
Olacaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- ManúMinquartia guianensis
Oxalidaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- CarambolaAverrhoa carambola
Phyllanthaceae
2 spp.Representative species
- PilónHyeronima alchorneoides
- ZapateroHieronyma oblonga
Podocarpaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- CiprecilloPodocarpus costaricensis
Polygonaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- PapaturroCoccoloba caracasana
Rubiaceae
1 sp.Coffee family - opposite leaves with stipules
Representative species
- MadroñoCalycophyllum candidissimum
Sapindaceae
3 spp.Representative species
- JaboncilloSapindus saponaria
- MamónMelicoccus bijugatus
- Mamón ChinoNephelium lappaceum
Sapotaceae
4 spp.Sapote family - milky latex, sweet edible fruits
Representative species
- CaimitoChrysophyllum cainito
- NísperoManilkara zapota
- TempisqueSideroxylon capiri
- ZapotePouteria sapota
Urticaceae
1 sp.Nettle family - often with stinging hairs, simple leaves
Representative species
- GuarumoCecropia obtusifolia
Vochysiaceae
2 spp.Representative species
- BotarramaVochysia ferruginea
- Chancho BlancoVochysia guatemalensis
Zygophyllaceae
1 sp.Representative species
- Guayacán RealGuaiacum sanctum