Almendro
Dipteryx panamensis
Native Region
Nicaragua to Colombia
Max Height
40-60 meters (130-200 feet)
Family
Fabaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-800m
Regions
- Limón
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
Season
Flowering
Feb-Apr
Fruiting
Jun-Sep
Almendro
The Almendro (Dipteryx panamensis), also known as Almendro Amarillo or Tonka Bean Tree, is one of Central America's most magnificent and conservation-critical trees. Rising 40-60 meters above the rainforest canopy, it provides irreplaceable nesting cavities and food for the endangered Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus), whose survival is directly tied to this species.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Dipteryx panamensis
- Family
- Fabaceae (Legume)
- Max Height
- 40-60 m (130-200 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 2 m
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN) - Protected in CR
- Protected Status
- Logging banned in Costa Rica
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
312
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
The genus Dipteryx includes approximately 12 species of large tropical trees. The name derives from Greek di- (two) and pteryx (wing), referring to the two wing-like appendages on the fruit. The species epithet panamensis indicates it was first scientifically described from Panama.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Almendro, Almendro Amarillo | Almond tree (yellow) |
| Spanish (General) | Almendro de Montaña | Mountain almond |
| English | Tonka Bean Tree, Almendro | From aromatic seed compound |
| Bribri | Ñö | Indigenous Costa Rican name |
| Miskito | Ebo | Indigenous Nicaraguan name |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Almendro is a massive emergent tree that towers above the rainforest canopy. It is one of the largest trees in the Central American lowland rainforests, with a distinctive umbrella-shaped crown visible from great distances.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Bark
- Buttresses: Massive, extending 3-5 m from trunk base
- Bark: Grayish-brown, thick, deeply furrowed
- Wood: Extremely hard and dense (specific gravity 1.0+)
- Heartwood: Dark brown with yellowish streaks
- Diameter: Often exceeds 2 m in old-growth specimens
Leaves
- Type: Pinnately compound (odd-pinnate)
- Leaflets: 5-9, alternating, elliptic to oblong
- Size: Leaflets 5-15 cm long
- Texture: Leathery, glossy dark green above
- Margin: Entire (smooth edges)
Flowers
- Color: Pink to lavender, occasionally white
- Type: Papilionaceous (pea-flower shape)
- Size: Small, about 1 cm
- Arrangement: Terminal panicles
- Season: February to May
- Fragrance: Sweetly aromatic
Fruits & Seeds
- Type: Single-seeded drupe
- Size: 5-7 cm long, oval
- Color: Green, becoming yellowish when ripe
- Seed: Large, aromatic (contains coumarin)
- Maturation: December to March
- Dispersal: Gravity, bats, large birds
Almendros are often identifiable from a distance by their enormous size and distinctive umbrella-shaped crown rising above the forest canopy. During fruiting season (December-March), the presence of Great Green Macaws is often the first indicator of a nearby Almendro.
Distribution & Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
The Almendro is found primarily in the Caribbean lowlands and northern region, from sea level to about 800 meters elevation. The largest remaining populations are in the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor.
| Province | Prevalence | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Limón | Common (historically) | Barra del Colorado, Tortuguero corridor |
| Heredia | Moderate | Sarapiquí lowlands, La Selva |
| Alajuela | Moderate | Northern lowlands, San Carlos |
| Guanacaste | Rare | Eastern slopes only |
| San José | Very Rare | Caribbean slope foothills only |
| Cartago | Very Rare | Turrialba lowlands |
| Puntarenas | Absent | Wrong climate zone |
Preferred Habitat
- Elevation: Sea level to 800 m
- Climate: Tropical wet forest (no dry season)
- Rainfall: 3,000-6,000 mm annually
- Temperature: 24-28°C average
- Soil: Deep, well-drained alluvial or volcanic
- Position: Emergent layer, requiring full crown light
Ecological Significance
The Great Green Macaw Connection
The Almendro is essential to the survival of the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus), one of the world's most endangered parrots. Macaws depend on Almendros for 70-80% of their diet during nesting season and require the large natural cavities that only ancient Almendros provide for nesting. The loss of Almendros directly threatens macaw extinction.
For Great Green Macaws
- Food Source: Seeds are primary diet (Dec-Mar)
- Nesting Sites: Natural cavities in trunks/branches
- Cavity Requirements: Only trees 100+ years old
- Territory Anchor: Pairs defend Almendro groves
- Population Link: Macaw numbers track Almendro availability
For Other Wildlife
- Toucans: Feed on fruits and nest in cavities
- Bats: Fruit bats disperse seeds
- Tapirs: Eat fallen fruits
- Agoutis: Cache and disperse seeds
- Epiphytes: Massive branches host gardens of orchids and bromeliads
Ecosystem Services
Conservation Status
Critical Situation
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (globally)
- CITES
- Not listed (should be)
- Costa Rica
- Logging BANNED since 2008
- Population Trend
- Stable (but locally threatened)
In 2008, Costa Rica became the first country to legally ban all cutting of Almendro trees (Decree 35340-MINAET), recognizing the species' critical importance to the endangered Great Green Macaw. Violations carry significant fines and potential imprisonment.
Threats & Challenges
Primary Threats
- Historical Logging: Valuable timber decimated populations
- Deforestation: Agricultural expansion continues
- Fragmentation: Isolated trees cannot support macaws
- Slow Regeneration: Takes 80-100 years for nesting cavities
- Climate Change: Shifting rainfall patterns
Conservation Actions
- Legal Protection: Complete logging ban in Costa Rica
- Corridor Creation: San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor
- Private Reserves: Payment for ecosystem services
- Community Programs: Local macaw conservation groups
- Research: Monitoring populations and regeneration
Conservation History
How You Can Help
- Support the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor
- Donate to Great Green Macaw conservation programs
- Visit and support eco-lodges in Almendro habitat
- Report any illegal logging to SINAC authorities
- Support shade-grown coffee from the region
- Spread awareness about this critical conservation story
Cultural & Economic Importance
Traditional Uses
Modern Value
Living Value vs. Timber Value
Studies have shown that a living Almendro tree provides far more economic value through ecosystem services, ecotourism, and biodiversity conservation than it would as timber. A single large Almendro supporting Great Green Macaws can generate thousands of dollars annually in birdwatching tourism while storing tons of carbon and anchoring entire forest ecosystems.
Research & Monitoring
Scientific Importance
| Research Area | Key Findings | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Population Ecology | Only 25-35 large trees/km² in best habitat | Sets conservation targets |
| Macaw Dependency | 70-80% of diet from Almendro seeds | Confirms critical relationship |
| Regeneration | 80-100 years to nesting-size cavities | Highlights protection urgency |
| Carbon Storage | Up to 15+ tons C per mature tree | Climate mitigation value |
| Genetics | Low genetic diversity in fragmented populations | Guides corridor planning |
Citizen Science
If you observe an Almendro tree or Great Green Macaw in Costa Rica, report it to iNaturalist or eBird. These observations help scientists track populations and identify important areas for conservation. GPS coordinates and photos are especially valuable.
Identification Guide
How to Identify Almendro
Definitive Characteristics:
- Massive size — emergent crown visible above forest canopy
- Large buttress roots extending 3-5 m from trunk
- Pinnately compound leaves with 5-9 leathery leaflets
- Gray-brown deeply furrowed bark
- Oval fruits 5-7 cm with single large seed
- Presence of Great Green Macaws (Dec-Mar)
Where to See Almendro
Best Locations in Costa Rica
| Location | Access | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| La Selva Biological Station | Public visits available | Year-round, Dec-Mar best |
| Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge | Boat access required | December-March |
| Tortuguero National Park | Boat access | Year-round |
| Sarapiquí area lodges | Easy road access | December-March |
| Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge | Limited access | December-March |
The best time to see Almendros is during fruiting season (December-March) when Great Green Macaws are actively feeding and nesting. Stay at eco-lodges in the Sarapiquí area and arrange early morning tours with local guides who know the locations of fruiting trees. Patience is rewarded—watching a pair of Great Green Macaws in an ancient Almendro is an unforgettable experience.
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Ara Project - macaw conservation
Biological corridor conservation
National conservation system
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Chassot, O. & Monge, G. (2012). Linking Great Green Macaws to rainforest conservation in Costa Rica. Conservation Biology
Powell, G.V.N., et al. (1999). Seasonal variation in availability of food resources for the Great Green Macaw. Biological Conservation
Monge-Arias, G. & Chassot, O. (2009). The Almendro and the Great Green Macaw: Saving a keystone relationship
MINAE (2008). Decreto 35340-MINAET: Veda de Almendro
The Almendro represents one of conservation's most compelling stories: a magnificent ancient tree whose fate is inseparably linked to one of the world's rarest parrots. Saving the Almendro means saving the Great Green Macaw, and saving both means preserving the irreplaceable rainforests of the Caribbean lowlands. Every Almendro standing today is a monument to what we choose to protect for future generations.
