Guachipelín
Diphysa americana
Native Region
Mexico to Costa Rica
Max Height
8-15 meters (26-50 feet)
Family
Fabaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1000m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- San José
Season
Flowering
Feb-Apr
Fruiting
Apr-Jun
Guachipelín (Yellow Flowering Acacia)
The Guachipelín (Diphysa americana) is one of the most celebrated flowering trees of Costa Rica's dry forests. When these small trees burst into bloom during the dry season, entire hillsides become rivers of gold. The wood is legendary among farmers for making fence posts that last decades without rotting.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Diphysa americana
- Family
- Fabaceae (Legume)
- Max Height
- 8-15 m (26-50 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 40 cm
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Feature
- Golden yellow flowers
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
950
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Diphysa: Greek for "two bladders" (referring to inflated seed pod) - americana: Of the Americas - Guachipelín: Indigenous name, likely from Nahuatl - Regional names reflect its value for fence posts
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Yellow Flowering Acacia | Descriptive |
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Guachipelín | Indigenous origin |
| Spanish (Mexico) | Quebracho | Axe-breaker (hard wood) |
| Spanish (Guatemala) | Guachipilin, Cacahuanano | Regional variants |
| Local (Guanacaste) | Palo de Cerca | Fence post tree |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Guachipelín is a small to medium deciduous tree with an irregular, spreading crown. Its branches often grow at sharp angles, creating a somewhat gnarled appearance. The tree sheds its feathery leaves during the dry season, replaced by masses of golden yellow flowers.
Distinctive Features
Leaves
- Type: Pinnately compound
- Leaflets: 9-21 per leaf
- Size: Each leaflet 1-3 cm
- Shape: Oblong, asymmetrical
- Color: Bright green
- Timing: Deciduous in dry season
Bark
- Color: Gray to brownish
- Texture: Fissured, rough
- Wood: Extremely hard
- Feature: Yellowish heartwood
Flowers
- Type: Papilionaceous (pea-like)
- Size: 1-2 cm long
- Color: Brilliant golden yellow
- Arrangement: Clusters along branches
- Timing: Peak dry season
- Abundance: Spectacular displays
Fruits
- Type: Inflated bladder-like pod
- Size: 3-6 cm long
- Color: Green to brown
- Shape: Distinctively puffy
- Seeds: 1-2 per pod
Ecological Importance
Dry Forest Ecosystem Role
Guachipelín flowering during the dry season provides critical nectar for bees and other pollinators when few other plants are blooming. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it also enriches poor soils common in Guanacaste's dry forests.
Pollinator Services
- Native bees: Primary pollinators
- Honey bees: Important nectar source
- Butterflies: Regular visitors
- Hummingbirds: Occasional visitors
Soil Benefits
- Nitrogen fixation via root nodules
- Leaf litter enriches soil
- Deep roots access groundwater
- Erosion control on slopes
Distribution in Costa Rica
Guachipelín is primarily found in Costa Rica's Pacific dry forests, especially in Guanacaste Province. It occurs from sea level to about 1,000 meters in areas with distinct dry seasons.
Key Observation Sites
| Location | Province | Best Time | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa National Park | Guanacaste | February-March | Park trails |
| Palo Verde National Park | Guanacaste | March | Boat and walking tours |
| Nicoya Peninsula | Guanacaste | February-April | Rural roads |
| Liberia area | Guanacaste | March | Roadsides |
| Monteverde dry side | Puntarenas | March-April | Lower elevations |
Traditional Uses
The Ultimate Fence Post
Guachipelín wood is so resistant to decay that fence posts made from it can last 25-30 years in the ground—an incredible feat in tropical conditions where most wood rots within a few years. This has made it one of the most valued trees for rural landowners.
Wood Properties
- Extremely hard and dense
- Natural decay resistance
- Termite resistant
- Doesn't split easily
- Yellowish heartwood color
Agricultural Uses
- Fence posts (primary use)
- Living fence support
- Tool handles
- Construction poles
- Firewood and charcoal
Medicinal Uses
Traditional medicine applications include:
- Bark tea for digestive complaints
- Wound treatment preparations
- Anti-inflammatory uses
- Skin condition remedies
Growing Information
Cultivation Requirements
| Factor | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Climate | Tropical dry | Needs distinct dry season |
| Temperature | 22-35°C (72-95°F) | Heat tolerant |
| Rainfall | 800-1800mm annually | Drought tolerant |
| Soil | Various, well-drained | Tolerates poor soils |
| Light | Full sun | Needs full exposure |
| Propagation | Seeds | Scarify before planting |
Agroforestry Applications
Guachipelín is excellent for:
- Living fence systems
- Silvopasture integration
- Dry forest restoration
- Erosion control on slopes
- Bee forage plantations
Similar Species
| Species | Scientific Name | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Cortez Amarilla | Tabebuia ochracea | Larger tree, different flower shape |
| Caña Fístula | Cassia fistula | Much longer flower clusters, different pods |
| Madero Negro | Gliricidia sepium | Pink flowers, different leaf structure |
| Other Diphysa | Diphysa spp. | Similar but different regions |
Interesting Facts
Cultural Significance
In Guanacaste, the Guachipelín holds a special place in rural culture. For generations, it has been the go-to tree for fence posts—a critical resource in cattle country where fences define property boundaries and contain livestock. The local saying "posts de guachipelín duran más que el que los puso" (guachipelín posts last longer than the person who planted them) speaks to both the wood's durability and the tree's deep integration into ranching culture.
The Guachipelín Adventure Park
The tree's name has become synonymous with adventure tourism in Costa Rica. The famous Hacienda Guachipelín near Rincón de la Vieja volcano takes its name from these trees that dot the property. Today, visitors can zipline, horseback ride, and hike among groves of these golden-flowering trees—a fitting tribute to a species so central to Guanacaste's identity.
Where to See Guachipelín
Where to Find Guachipelín in Costa Rica
National Parks & Reserves:
- Santa Rosa National Park — Excellent dry forest specimens
- Rincón de la Vieja National Park — Common in lower elevations
- Palo Verde National Park — Dry forest habitat
- Barra Honda National Park — Limestone hill dry forests
Best Roadside Viewing:
- Inter-American Highway (Guanacaste) — Flowering in Feb-April
- Road to Playas del Coco — Rural landscapes
- Nicoya Peninsula routes — Especially inland roads
- Liberia to La Cruz route — Northern dry zone
Plan your visit for late February through early April to witness the spectacular golden flowering. The trees bloom during the driest, hottest part of the year when most other vegetation is brown and dormant, making the contrast absolutely stunning.
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Global distribution data
Botanical nomenclature
Kew Gardens taxonomic information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Zamora, N. et al. (2004). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. III. INBio, Santo Domingo de Heredia
Janzen, D.H. (1991). Historia Natural de Costa Rica. Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica
Sousa, M. (1990). Adiciones a las Papilionoideae de la Flora Mesoamericana. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Holdridge, L.R. & Poveda, L.J. (1975). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. I. Centro Científico Tropical, San José
