Espavel
Anacardium excelsum
Native Region
Honduras to Ecuador and Brazil
Max Height
40-50 meters (130-165 feet)
Family
Anacardiaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-800m
Regions
- Limón
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
Season
Flowering
Jan-Mar
Fruiting
May-Jul
Espavel
The Espavel (Anacardium excelsum), also known as Wild Cashew or Caracolí, is one of Costa Rica's most impressive riparian trees. Towering up to 50 meters with massive buttress roots, this close relative of the commercial cashew produces edible nuts that are a crucial food source for wildlife throughout the tropical lowlands. Its preference for riverbanks makes it a keystone species for watershed health.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Anacardium excelsum
- Family
- Anacardiaceae (Cashew)
- Max Height
- 40-50 m (130-165 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 2 m
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Fruiting
- December–March
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
1500
Observations
186
Observers
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Taxonomy & Classification
The Espavel belongs to the same genus as the commercial cashew (Anacardium occidentale). Both species share the distinctive fruit structure with the "cashew apple" (swollen fruit stalk) and the kidney-shaped nut. While the commercial cashew originated in northeastern Brazil, the Espavel evolved as a forest giant of Central American riparian zones.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Espavel, Espavé | Local name |
| Spanish (Colombia) | Caracolí, Mijao | Regional variants |
| Spanish (Panama) | Espavé | Local variant |
| English | Wild Cashew, Giant Cashew Tree | Reference to relative |
| Indigenous | Marañón de monte | Mountain cashew |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Espavel is one of the largest deciduous trees in neotropical riparian forests. It is characterized by its immense size, dramatic buttress roots, and spreading crown that can shade enormous areas.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Bark
- Bark: Gray to brown, smooth becoming slightly fissured
- Wood: Light, soft, not durable for construction
- Form: Single straight trunk to massive buttresses
- Buttresses: Spectacular, extending 3-5 m up trunk
- Latex: Contains irritating compounds (related to poison ivy)
Leaves
- Type: Simple, alternate
- Shape: Obovate to elliptic
- Size: 15-30 cm long, 8-15 cm wide
- Texture: Leathery, glossy above
- Margin: Entire (smooth edges)
- Timing: Briefly deciduous in dry season
Flowers
- Color: Greenish-white to pink
- Size: Small (5-8 mm)
- Arrangement: Large terminal panicles
- Season: November to January
- Fragrance: Sweet, attracts many pollinators
- Type: Both male and bisexual on same tree
Fruits & Seeds
- Structure: Two-part (like cashew)
- Cashew Apple: Fleshy, yellow-orange, 5-8 cm
- Nut: Kidney-shaped, 2-3 cm, attached at base
- Edibility: Nut edible when roasted (raw contains urushiol)
- Season: December to March
- Dispersal: Mammals, especially agoutis and squirrels
Like all Anacardiaceae family members (cashew, mango, poison ivy), the Espavel contains urushiol compounds in its bark, leaves, and raw nuts. These can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. The nuts must be properly roasted to destroy these compounds before consumption.
Distribution & Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
The Espavel is found primarily in the lowland wet forests of both Pacific and Caribbean slopes, with a strong preference for areas near water. It is most abundant along rivers, streams, and in seasonally flooded forests.
| Province | Prevalence | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Common | River corridors, Tempisque basin |
| Puntarenas | Common | Osa Peninsula, Térraba-Sierpe |
| Limón | Very Common | Caribbean lowlands, Tortuguero area |
| Alajuela | Common | Northern lowlands, San Carlos |
| San José | Uncommon | Lower elevation valleys only |
| Heredia | Uncommon | Sarapiquí lowlands |
Preferred Habitat
- Elevation: Sea level to 700 m
- Climate: Tropical wet to moist
- Rainfall: 2,500-5,000 mm annually
- Temperature: 24-30°C
- Soil: Deep alluvial, tolerates periodic flooding
- Light: Full sun (emergent canopy position)
- Special: Strong preference for riverbanks and floodplains
Ecological Significance
Riparian Keystone Species
The Espavel is a keystone species in riparian ecosystems. Its massive buttress roots stabilize riverbanks, preventing erosion. Its abundant fruit production during the dry season provides critical food for wildlife when other resources are scarce. The deep shade it casts helps keep streams cool for aquatic life.
Wildlife Interactions
Primary Seed Dispersers
- Agoutis: Cache nuts, primary dispersers
- Pacas: Major consumers and dispersers
- Squirrels: Eat and cache nuts
- White-faced Capuchins: Consume fruits and nuts
- Spider Monkeys: Major fruit consumers
- Scarlet Macaws: Consume unripe nuts
Other Wildlife
- Bats: Consume cashew apple portion
- Parrots: Feed on nuts
- Fish: Consume fallen fruits in flooded areas
- Coatis: Forage for fallen fruits
- Peccaries: Major consumers of fallen fruits
- Many birds: Utilize massive canopy for nesting
Ecosystem Services
Cultural & Economic Importance
Traditional Uses
The Wild Cashew Nut
While smaller than commercial cashews, Espavel nuts have been harvested by indigenous peoples and rural communities for millennia. The nuts must be carefully roasted to destroy the urushiol compounds in the shell. Properly prepared, they have a rich, slightly smoky flavor prized in traditional cuisine. The "cashew apple" is also edible and can be made into beverages.
Uses Table
| Use Category | Application | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Roasted nuts | Traditional snack, requires proper processing |
| Food | Cashew apple | Eaten fresh or made into beverages |
| Medicine | Bark tea | Traditional remedy for diarrhea |
| Timber | Light construction | Soft wood, limited durability |
| Conservation | Watershed protection | Planted for bank stabilization |
| Agroforestry | Shade trees | Integrated into farming systems |
Indigenous Knowledge
Conservation Status
Current Assessment
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern
- Population Trend
- Decreasing locally
- Main Threats
- Riparian habitat loss
- Protection
- Included in watershed reserves
Conservation Concerns
While globally Least Concern, Espavel populations have declined significantly in Costa Rica due to: - Riparian deforestation for agriculture - River channelization and development - Dam construction flooding habitat - Overharvest of large specimens for timber The species is increasingly protected through watershed conservation programs, but historical losses have been substantial.
How You Can Help
- Support riparian forest protection initiatives
- Never remove trees from riverbanks
- Report illegal logging in riparian zones
- Plant Espavel in appropriate watershed restoration projects
- Spread awareness about riparian forest importance
Cultivation & Propagation
Growing Espavel
Propagation Methods
From Seeds (Recommended)
- Collect fresh fruits (December-March)
- Remove fleshy covering immediately
- Plant within 2 weeks (short viability)
- Light soil coverage
- Keep moist; germination in 2-4 weeks
- Protect seedlings from direct sun initially
- Requires consistent moisture
Note on Handling
- Wear gloves when handling fresh fruits
- Urushiol present in covering
- Wash tools after use
Growing Conditions
- Sun: Full sun when mature
- Soil: Deep, moist, well-drained
- Water: Abundant, flood-tolerant
- Spacing: 15-20 m minimum
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- First Fruiting: 8-12 years
Best Planting Locations
- Riverbanks and stream edges
- Floodplain restoration projects
- Large-scale watershed protection
- Not suitable for small gardens
- Requires room for buttress development
Identification Guide
How to Identify Espavel
Definitive Characteristics:
- Massive buttress roots extending several meters
- Large simple leaves clustered at branch ends
- Emergent crown towering above forest canopy
- Cashew-like fruits with nut attached to fleshy base
- Riparian habitat preference
- Gray smooth bark on younger trees
Where to See Espavel in Costa Rica
| Location | Access | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Corcovado National Park | Guided tours from Puerto Jiménez | Year-round |
| Tortuguero National Park | Boat tours on canals | Year-round |
| Carara National Park | River trail | Dec-March for fruit |
| La Selva Biological Station | Research trails | Year-round |
| Térraba-Sierpe Wetlands | Boat tours from Sierpe | Year-round |
| Río Frío area | San Carlos region | Year-round |
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Taxonomic information and records
Agroforestry and conservation research
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Holdridge, L.R. & Poveda, L.J. (1975). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. 1
Pennington, T.D. & Sarukhán, J. (2005). Árboles tropicales de México
Gentry, A.H. (1993). A Field Guide to the Families and Genera of Woody Plants of Northwest South America
Visit Costa Rica's lowland wet forests between December and March to see Espavel trees in their fruiting glory. The yellow-orange "cashew apples" are highly visible, and wildlife activity around fruiting trees is exceptional. Look for troops of capuchin monkeys, agoutis below the trees, and scarlet macaws feeding in the canopy. Tortuguero and Corcovado offer the best opportunities to see these magnificent giants in pristine riparian habitat.
